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BEN STOOD ON THE QUARTER-DECK IN SILENCE 







THE 


BOY CAPTAIN 


OR 


FROM FORECASTLE TO CABIN 


BY 

JAMES OTIS 



AUTHOR OF 

“JENNIE WREN’S BOARDING HOUSE” 

« THE BOYS’ REVOLT,” “ JERRY’S FAMILY 
“THE BOYS OF 1 745,” ETC. 



BOSTON 

ESTES AND LAURIAT 

PUBLISHERS 




?Z1 



Copyright , 1896, 

By Estes and Lauriat 


% 3 

fUplaw." ' ntl 


Colonial Press: 

C. H. Simonds & Co.. Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 
Electrotyped by Geo. C. Scott & Sons 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 


PAGE 


I. 

An Imaginary Shipwreck 






i 

II. 

A Self -elected Captain 






1 7 

III. 

Nampang Island . 






3 i 

IV. 

Anticipating Trouble . 






46 

V. 

Disagreeable Visitors 






60 

VI. 

An Unwilling Crew 






76 

VII. 

In Command . 






9 i 

VIII. 

Miss Dunham’s Return 






109 

IX. 

Homeward Bound 






124 

X. 

A Waterspout 






139 

XI. 

The Typhoon 






152 

XII. 

On Short Allowance . 






166 

XIII. 

A Demand 






1 81 

XIV. 

Besieged 






194 

XV. 

The Battle . 






207 

XVI. 

Recapture 






220 

XVII. 

Short-handed 






233 

XVIII. 

Ascension 






249 

XIX. 

Signaling 






262 

XX. 

The Home Port . 






279 


























LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

“Ben Stood on the Quarter-deck in Silence” (p.253) 

Frontispiece 

“ « Look Dar ! ’ ” 52 

“A Small, but Decidedly Resolute Looking Girl ' . 70 

“Ben Was Attacking a Sampan -load of the Enemy” 84 
“ ‘ Am de Heathens All Gone Outer dis Yere Ship?’ ” 89 

“Mr. Bean Was not yet Wholly Disabled” . .187 

“ In the Wake of the Brig He Had Attempted to 

Destroy ” 226 

“ M^rs. Thompson ” 289 





V 



THE BOY CAPTAIN 










THE BOY CAPTAIN 


OR 


FROM FORECASTLE TO CABIN 


CHAPTER I. 

AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 

HE ship Sportsman , from New York for Hong 



Kong, had, on this particular morning in January, 
nearly completed what had thus far proven a most 
uneventful voyage. 

The youngest sailor on board, who was the son of the 
captain and lacking a few months of being twenty -one 
years old, was looking forward eagerly to this his first 
visit to China. 

Although having performed his duties as one of the 
crew during two years and a half, he had seen nothing 
especially strange or wonderful in those ports which the 
Sportsman visited ; but the very name “ Hong Kong ” 
was associated with such grotesque things as green drag- 
ons with red tails, kites fashioned in fantastic shapes, and 
the oddest kind of odd people in the most impossible of 


2 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


attitudes, as pictured on tea-chests, or in the curios to be 
seen in the shop windows at home. 

And now just a word by way of preface regarding this 
same boy, who appeared on the ship’s papers as “ Benjamin 
Thompson, able seaman.” 

Captain William Thompson, commander of the Sports- 
man, had allowed his son to sign the articles, with the 
understanding that he should be treated exactly as any 
other member of the crew, and no favour shown because 
of his relationship, except, possibly, while they might be 
in port. Ben’s father was very strict on this point, saying 
many times that, since he himself had worked his way aft 
in regular stages from the forecastle, he did not intend 
“his son should crawl through the cabin windows.” 

The boy had also promised faithfully that he would, in 
addition to his duties as a sailor, study very hard to fit 
himself for the position of officer in the merchant service. 

Ben was not particularly charmed with the life after 
having had a six months’ taste of it. Although his father 
had expressly defined the station on board which he was 
to occupy, Ben possibly fancied the strings would not be 
drawn very tightly over the captain’s son ; but in this he 
had made a woeful mistake. 

If anything, his father had been more strict than a 
stranger would have been, and was rigid in adhering to 
the rule requiring of him a certain amount of study in 
the way of navigation and seamanship, which added very 
materially to his labours. 

It must be said in Ben’s favour that he never shirked 


AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 


3 


his work nor his studies, and the natural result was that 
on this day, thirty months after having begun the battle 
of life, he was fully competent to fill the position of first 
officer on board the Sportsman , or even to have navigated 
her himself. 

The mates, however, showed greater leniency toward 
this young member of the crew when the captain was 
below than they would have done but for the relationship, 
and, thanks to them, Ben received many hints which 
enabled him to advance more rapidly in his studies than 
otherwise might have been the case. 

On this particular day, however, the young sailor was 
looking forward to a visit on shore, rather than speculating 
as to his present duties or future prospects, and when, at 
noon, the Sportsman was off Macclesfield Bank, with a 
favouring wind and only three hundred knots more to be 
made, Ben hoped most earnestly that nothing would occur 
to prevent the ship’s coming to anchor in port in the 
shortest possible space of time. 

He was fully alive to everything going on about him, 
and when one of the lookout men hailed the quarter-deck 
with the information that a boat was in sight about four 
points off the starboard bow, having ^very appearance of 
being a ship’s long-boat with a wrecked crew, it is just 
possible he was a trifle impatient, because the Sportsman s 
course was changed to intercept this waif upon the 
Chinese Ocean. 

Running down to investigate matters might not delay 
the craft many hours ; but even though only two were 


4 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


spent in such work, Ben felt he was being deprived of 
exactly so much time which might be utilised to both his 
profit and amusement on shore. 

Half an hour later, however, there was no such thought 
as regret in his mind that the course had been changed, 
for it could then be seen that the lookout’s speculations 
in regard to the boat were correct. 

She carried six men, none of whom looked particularly 
emaciated, or as if having suffered severely ; but the 
apology for a flag attached to an oar which was raised 
upright in the bow told that they were in need of assist- 
ance, and Ben forgot Hong Kong and its attractions in 
the knowledge that it was possible to relieve suffering. 

In due time the boat was alongside, the men taken on 
board, and then came, in reply to the captain’s question, 
what all considered rather a suspicious story. 

The spokesman of the party represented himself as 
second mate of the brig Starlight , which had foundered 
the day previous, about fifty miles to the northward of 
where they were picked up. 

While the alleged mate was talking with Captain 
Thompson, some of the men were being questioned by 
the second office^'- and they stated that the Starlight 
had gone down in a typhoon, afterwards correcting them- 
selves by saying she had struck a reef, and, in fact, 
each one told a different story on being pressed as to 
particulars. 

The captain’s orders were that, the men should be taken 
care of, and then he held a consultation with his chief 


AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 


5 


mate, which was afterwards repeated to Ben by that 
officer much as follows : 

“You see, lad, your father don’t take kindly to the 
yarn that ’ere shell -back has been spinnin’ ; but at the 
same time he ain’t willin’ to say it ’s all wrong. When it 
comes to shipwrecked crews sailormen have mighty soft 
hearts, for there’s no tellin’ when they may be in the 
same boat.” 

“ Is anything to be done toward finding out the truth ?” 

“ Bless your heart, lad, what could be done ? The 
captain don’t want to act suspicious - like, because there’s 
no reason for sayin’ the story ain’t true. The mate’s 
yarn would go down well enough if it was n’t for what 
the rest of the crowd tell. Every one of them makes it 
out different, and all I ’ve got to say is, they must be a 
set of greenhorns that can’t stick to the same story.” 

“ Then you don’t believe what any of them tell ? ” Ben 
asked. 

“ Not a blessed word. It ’s just like this, lad, if their 
craft had gone down, no matter how, it stands to reason 
they ’d know the particulars, — an’ what would be the call 
for there being any variation of the yarn ? ” 

As a matter of course, that was a question Ben could 
not answer. Very likely some of the crew had told the 
truth, and he so expressed himself to the mate. 

“There’s no use talking, boy, they’re all lying. My 
idee of the thing is that they had n’t got a yarn cooked 
up when we hove in sight, an’ spent so much time chinnin’ 
’bout what should be told that they were all at sea when 


6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


we took ’em aboard. More ’n as likely ’s not they ’ve run 
away from the ship at Hong Kong, though why they 
should have hailed us to be carried back to the same port 
is more ’n I can figger out. ’Cause why? ’Cause they 
would be nabbed the minute we arrived.” 

The first officer might have continued to argue with 
himself for Ben’s edification, as to why there should be 
no reliance placed in the story of either of the alleged 
shipwrecked men, but for the fact that the boy, tiring of 
such dry detail and prosy speculation, determined to seek 
information for himself among those who had been taken 
on board. 

This was not as easy of execution as one might fancy. 

The second mate had learned that his companions were 
not giving the same account of the supposed disaster as 
himself, and was now doing his best to prevent them 
from talking with the Sportsman s crew. 

The rescued ones were neither hungry nor sleepy, 
although some of them professed to be suffering from 
lack of rest and food. 

The unconsumed provisions in the boat gave the lie to 
one story, and their general appearance most emphatically 
denied the other ; yet he who called himself their second 
mate insisted the entire party should be allowed to “ turn 
in” until they had recovered from the effects of exposure 
and privation. 

“ Let ’em bunk ’round the deck anywhere,” the first 
officer said when Ben went aft in response to the ship- 
wrecked mate’s request, to ask if they could be allowed 


AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 


7 


the use of the forecastle. “ There ’s no need of their 
goin’ below such weather as this, an’ if they ’re terribly 
played out, I reckon the soft side of a deck plank will be 
good enough for any of ’em.” 

Ben returned to the shipwrecked party and delivered 
the message ; but not in exactly the same words as it 
had been given to him. 

The supposedly weary men could not refuse to lie 
down, after having represented themselves as being so 
nearly exhausted, and, much to their leader’s chagrin, it 
became necessary for them to do what probably they had 
no desire for, namely, to follow the mate’s suggestion. 

If the commander of the party had been strictly 
obeyed, Ben’s loitering around the deck in the immediate 
vicinity of the alleged sufferers would have been without 
avail ; but, as it was, the men were not disposed to remain 
together very long at a time, and the young sailor soon 
found the desired opportunity. 

One of the men being without tobacco, tried to borrow 
a pipe -full from the fellow who called himself mate, but 
was refused, and, noting this, Ben fancied he knew of a 
way to take the successful first step toward winning the 
sailor’s confidence. 

Borrowing a piece of tobacco of the chief officer, he 
went near the deck-house at some distance from the new- 
comers, and, holding the prize up so the impoverished 
smoker might see it, beckoned the latter to his side. 

“ I thought from what your mate said you must be on 
short allowance. You can have some of this if it will do 


8 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


you any good; but I don’t count on giving you the 
whole plug.” 

The man filled his pipe, after going through the 
formality of returning thanks, cut off a generous supply 
for the future, and then settled himself down under the 
lee of the house for a comfortable smoke. 

The watch to which Ben belonged was off duty at the 
time; therefore there was nothing to prevent him from 
following the fellow’s example, and in half an hour the 
two were on terms almost approaching intimacy. 

Quite naturally the young sailor had asked for par- 
ticulars of the shipwreck, and, equally as naturally, the 
man had given his version of the affair, allowing himself 
so much latitude in the way of romance as to make the 
story entirely different from those which had been 
previously told. » 

Ben listened in silence until the sailor had spun his 
yarn, and was forced to conclude because his imagination 
refused to serve him longer, when he asked, assuming an 
expression of the utmost faith and perfect innocence : 

“ What vessel were you on?” 

“The Starlight , of course. Haven’t I jest been 
tellin’ of you ? ” 

“ What craft did the other men belong to ? ” 

“ We were shipmates. Did n’t you hear what I said ? ” 
“How many times was the Starlight wrecked ? ” 

“ Look here, lad, how many times do you think a 
vessel can be wrecked when she goes to the bottom ? ” 

“ I thought once was enough for ’most any craft ; but 


AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 9 

this brig of yours knocks me silly. According to what 
your crowd has told, she has been run down, struck a 
reef, foundered from some unknown cause, and been dis- 
masted in a typhoon, all within fifty miles of here, and 
during the past twenty-four hours.” 

The sailor looked at Ben a few moments as if trying 
to decide whether that appearance of innocent faith was 
natural or assumed, and then, waving his pipe in the air 
to give greater emphasis to his words, he said slowly : 

“ See here, my young an’ bloomin’ shipmate, you ’re 
gettin’ out of your reckonin’. When an old shell-back 
like me tells a boy like you what happened yesterday, it 
all stands for truth, an’ he don’t want to get himself into 
a howlin’ muss by tryin’ to pick flaws in the yarn.” 

“ No, I s’pose not,” Ben replied reflectively, as if the 
matter was something of which he had not thought pre- 
viously ; “ but when an old shell-back like you tells a boy 
like me a different yarn from what his shipmates have 
been spinning, it ’s kind of natural to want the thing 
explained. I’d like to know just how the Starlight did 
go down.” 

“ Well, you’ve got it from me straight. It ain’t my 
fault if I ’ve shipped with a lot of green hands what don’t 
know the difference between a collision at sea and a 
typhoon, is it ? When a man asks me for a true yarn, he 
gets it. Do you see ? ” 

“Yes, I see, so give me the yarn.” 

“What do you mean? Haven’t I jest been tellin’ 
you all about it ? ” 


10 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ You said when a man asked you for a true yarn, he 
got it, and that ’s what I ’m after. The first one you 
told is all right for the marines ; but I want to know how 
your craft foundered, and how you happened to be in 
that boat ? ” 

Again the man looked at the boy, and appeared as if 
trying to induce his face to take on an expression of 
anger in order to intimidate the, over-bold questioner. 

Ben gazed at him in the most friendly manner possible, 
and never suggested by so much as the tremor of an eye- 
lid that there was any reason for the honest old salt to be 
disturbed in mind. 

The fact that Ben put aside so completely this story 
which had been told, as something untrue, caused the 
alleged suffering seaman to fancy he might be getting 
both himself and his companions into difficulties by draw- 
ing so extensively upon his imagination, without reference 
to his shipmates’ previous statements, and he would have 
terminated the interview then and there, but for the 
young sailor. 

Ben had no intention of investing fully one -third of 
Mr. Short’s plug of tobacco in such an ill-paying specula- 
tion, and, as his companion attempted to rise for the 
purpose of going forward, he said, in a matter-of-fact 
tone : 

“ When Captain Thompson hears that you men 
could n’t all tell the same story, I ’ve got an idea that 
things will be pretty warm.” 

“ What kind of a captain is he ? ” 


A N IMA GINA R Y SHIP WRE CRT. I I 

“Well, I must say he’s a pretty hard one, even if he 
is my father, when it comes to dealing with such a case 
as this, for there ’s nothing makes him so hot as to be 
taken for a marine.” 

“Is he your father?” the man asked in surprise, not 
unmixed with fear. 

“ That ’s what he is.” 

“But I reckon you have the run of the cabin?” 

“ I reckon I do,” Ben replied, not a tremor showing 
that now it was his turn to indulge in a little yarn. 

“ And you ’ve been pumpin’ me jest for the sake of 
tellin’ him ? ” 

“No, that wasn’t what I started in for; but after 
hearing what you ’ve been trying to stuff down my throat 
I think it ’s time he should know that there ’s something 
wrong among you, and being so well acquainted with him 
as I am, I ’m willing to bet, and would risk a little more 
than a farthing’s worth of silver spoons, that you ’ll stay 
below after we come to an anchorage, until the consul 
can be notified.” 

All this in the friendliest tone, as if Ben was imparting 
to his new acquaintance something which it would be 
particularly pleasing to hear. 

The man looked at him yet more curiously, and 
probably began to think the young fellow was not quite 
as green, regarding the peculiar methods employed by 
some seamen while telling a story, as he had at first 
fancied. 

“ Look here, lad, there ’s no call to go to the captain 


12 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


with what I said, because, if it ’ll do you any good, I ’m 
willin’ to own right up that it was a yarn.” 

“Oh, yes, I know that,” was the reply. “You see 
there’s been so many different yarns told already that it 
wasn’t necessary for me to listen to you to know there 
was something wrong about the whole affair.” 

“ Then what did you begin pumpin’ me for ? ” 

“I just wanted to know what kind of a tale you’d 
make out of it. Some of the rest of your crew are 
pretty good at such things ; but I ’m willin’ to say you ’re 
doing yourself proud at this time.” 

“ An’ I ’m willin’ to say I ’d like to have hold of the 
collar of your jacket with one hand, and a bit of ratline 
stuff in the other, for about five minutes.” 

“ Well, so long as you can’t have it that way, there ’s 
no use talking of it, so suppose you tell me how the 
Starlight went down, and the name of the craft you 
really shipped on last ? ” 

The sailor half arose to his feet, gazed around at his 
friends, and then settled down again as if having decided 
some question in his own mind. 

“Look you, lad, what kind of a trade would you be 
willin’ to make if I should give you the full pertic’lars 
of our craft ? ” 

“What kind of a trade do you want to make ?” 

“ If it so be that these bloomin’ shipmates of mine 
have n’t got sense enough to stick to the yarn we agreed 
on, then I for one says it ’s time to take care of myself. 
Now I ain’t ownin’ that sich a thing has got to be done ; 


AN IMA GINA R V SHIP WRE CRT. I 3 

but it might be I ’d like to leave this ’ere hooker before 
she ’d been at anchor very long.” 

“ And you want to make a trade with me to help you 
off ? Is that it ? ” 

“Well, it might be, an’ then agin it mightn’t.” 

“Now see here, shipmate, we won’t beat about the 
bush any longer,” and the expression of innocent faith on 
Ben’s face was replaced by one of determination. 
“You’re beginning to realise that the whole boiling 
of you are getting into hot water. In fact, I might say 
you have already gotten into hot water by being such 
idiots as to strike out each man for himself in the yarn- 
telling line. The truth of the story is, it might make 
trouble for you if known to the consul. Now I ’d like to 
hear it, and if it was the straight tale I ’d be willing to 
see you sneak off in the boat we picked up, some time 
during my watch, after we arrived in port.” 

“ But it might be you would n’t stand the first watch 
after anchorin’.” 

“ I ’ll agree to see you get away if you tell me what I 
want to know.” 

As if to fortify himself for the confession, the sailor 
placed carefully in his mouth nearly one-half the stock of 
tobacco he had taken from the mate’s plug, and then be- 
gan, after first looking around to assure himself his words 
could not be overheard by any one save his companion. 

“ This ’ere is the straight log : We deserted from the 
ship Progressive Age night before last ; left her without a 
bloomin’ soul aboard but the captain’s child an’ a nigger 


14 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


steward. That ’s all there is about it, except, maybe, that 
after the captain died off Great Natunas we kind of 
broached the cabin stores in a way that wouldn’t have 
pleased the owners.” 

“ Case of living aft, I suppose ; making free with that 
part of the medical stores which comes under the head 
of grog, sometimes?” 

“Well, yes, a little like that, I will admit. You see 
the first officer died before we come through the Straits 
of Sunda, an’ the captain was sick then. The second 
mate was in charge ; up to that time he had showed him- 
self to be an able seaman, but the morn in’ we sewed the 
old man into his . hammock, tiltin’ him off the gratin’ 
without any too much ceremony, he got to lushin’, an’ 
what was the rest of us to do ? We did n’t count on 
givin’ him the full swing, do all the work an’ let him enjoy 
himself, without we had our share of the grub, so we took 
it. Forty days’ workin’ up through Sunda — I don’t 
mean to say we had much of a hand in it, for the old 
hooker was takin’ care of herself most of the time, and 
when the mate sobered up a bit, he begun to realise the 
craft was n’t jest fit for port. We headed her for Nam- 
pang Island, made everything snug, an’ left her where I 
reckon she ’ll stay till the owners send out some one to 
take charge.” 

“ Did n’t care to take up your wages ? ” 

“ Not much after sich a spree, for we ’d found ourselves 
in the cooler mighty soon after cornin’ to anchor where 
there was a consul.” 


AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 


15 


“ I should think there might be danger of the natives 
taking a hand in the matter,” Ben suggested. 

“ Well, I allow there is ; but that ’s nothin’ to us. We 
want to get a chance to ship on some homeward bound 
craft, an’ the Progressive Age can lay there at anchor 
till the barnacles come aboard, for all I care. You see it 
was our business to get out of the scrape.” 

“ Are there provisions enough to last the child and the 
steward till they can send for assistance ? ” 

“ I allow they can’t starve to death for a while yet ; 
but she wasn’t overly provisioned when we left Sandy 
Hook, an’ they won’t get any too fat.” 

“ Do you suppose the steward will have sense enough 
to send word to Hong Kong?” 

“ Not a bit of it. He ’s as ’fraid of a Chinaman as 
ever St. Patrick was of a snake, an’ I allow he’ll keep 
his black head under cover while she lays off Nampang. 
Now you ’ve got the whole thing, an’ I ’m countin’ on 
you to help me slip away before the captain can send 
word to the consul.” 

“ I ’ll keep my part of the trade, and will see to it that 
you get off,' but the rest of your precious crowd will have 
to suffer for what they have done.” 

“ That ’s all right ; I ain’t sayin’ a word agin it, lad ; 
they deserve the whole cake. I was kinder drawed into 
the thing, you see, an’ should n’t be blamed like the 
rest.” 

“ How large is the brig ? ” 

“ Three hundred an’ sixty tons; square-rigged.” 


i6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ Be around where I can get hold of you when we draw 
near the harbour.’ ’ 

“ Don’t you worry ’bout that, lad, I ’ll keep as snug to 
you as ever a flea did to a dog.” 

Ben had heard all he cared to know, and with the 
knowledge had come a sudden determination, which 
seemed to him little short of inspiration. 

“ If I stay with father, it may be ten years before I 
ever see a chance of commanding a vessel, an’ here ’s an 
opportunity to jump in as captain before I ’ve been mate, 
if I ’ve got the nerve to see the thing through. A square- 
rigged brig ; no one aboard but a negro and a child ! 
The chances are ten to one the natives will make off with 
her before long ; but if I can work her up to Hong Kong 
the owners are bound to give me the full share of the 
credit. I ’ll try it unless father puts his foot down so hard 
that it ’ll be dangerous ; ” and the young sailor fell to 
pacing back and forth to leeward of the deck-house, with 
his hands behind him, studying intently on what, to an 
elder man, might have seemed a problem which could 
not be solved unaided. 


CHAPTER II. 

A SELF -ELECTED CAPTAIN. 

T~\ISCIPLINE on board the Sport smart was suf- 
ficiently strict to prevent Ben, even though he 
was the captain’s son, from venturing upon the quarter- 
deck without a summons from one of the officers. 

After concluding his conversation with the deserter 
from the Progressive Age , it was not necessary he should 
wait very long before being called aft by Mr. Short, the 
first officer, who had watched from a distance his efforts 
to extract information from those who had been picked up. 

The mate beckoned for him to approach, and, coming 
down from the quarter-deck, the two stood near the main 
entrance of the cabin where the coming of the captain 
might be observed, for the master of the Sportsman 
would not have been well pleased to see his chief officer 
holding a confidential conversation with one of the crew. 

“Did you find out what you wanted to know?” Mr. 
Short asked, anxiously. 

“ Yes ; but I shall have to pay his price for it.” 

“ What is that ? ” 

“Pretty near one -third of your plug of tobacco, with 
the agreement that he shall be able to slip away from the 


17 


i8 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


ship immediately after she arrives in port, and before the 
consul can get aboard.” 

“ I hope it is n’t anything very serious they ’ve been 
engaged in, lad, or the last part of your trade may get 
you into trouble.” 

“ If he tells the truth, and I reckon he does, they have 
simply deserted from a brig which is now at anchor off 
Nampang Island.” 

Then Ben repeated to the mate the latter portion of 
the conversation which he had had with the sailor, in 
detail, and when he finished Mr. Short said, grimly : 

“It ’s well for that fellow he made the trade with you, 
otherwise he ’d be apt to find himself in trouble mighty 
soon after we reached Hong Kong.” 

“ How so ?” Ben asked, quickly. 

“ Why, Captain Thompson is no fool, as I reckon we ’ll 
both agree on, an’ of course I am in duty bound to report 
that the men are telling different stories in regard to how 
they happened to be adrift. It won’t take him very long 
to decide what must be done. Before we get to our 
anchorage I reckon the consul will be notified, an’ this 
’ere bloomin’ crowd what claim to have suffered so much 
will have a chance to explain matters.” 

“ But I must get this man away, because that is what I 
promised,” Ben said, earnestly. 

“ How you goin’ to do it ? ” 

“ I ’m counting on your telling me, Mr. Short. You 
understand best how it can be arranged. There won’t be 
any trouble if you ’re willing to see the thing through.” 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 


9 


“ But supposin’ it should turn out, after the fellow got 
clean off, that there had been a mutiny in which' the 
officers were killed ? Then how would we feel about 
having helped him away.” 

“ I ’ll answer for it that he told the truth. In the first 
place, it did n’t seem as if he was on very good terms 
with the mate, for he could n’t get what tobacco he 
wanted, and then again he knows he ’s in a scrape, there- 
fore is anxious to get out. If there ’d been a regular 
mutiny they wouldn’t have allowed themselves to be 
picked up so near port, for it would have been an easy 
matter to make their way to Hong Kong along the shore.” 

“That may be, lad, but when I strike a liar I never 
believe him, even while he ’s telling the truth.” 

“ But will you help me to get him away ? ” 

“ Yes, I reckon I ’ll have to now, if you ’ve given your 
word he shall go. I don’t suppose he counts on your 
providin’ him with anything ? ” 

“ No ; all he wants is to leave the ship.” 

" He shall have that chance if it ’s my watch when we 
arrive, and the captain ain’t too sharp for me. But in 
case we get there early in the forenoon I ’m afraid he ’ll 
stand a pretty poor show.” 

“ Of course ; but that ’s his own lookout. If we 
should arrive in the morning he ’s got sense enough to 
know I could n’t help him at that time. Now, Mr. Short, 
there ’s something else I want to talk about.” 

“ Another Mother Carey’s chicken on your hands that 
you ’ve got to help away ? ” 


20 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ From all accounts I reckon I Ve got two more.” 

The mate looked at the boy in surprise, and Ben, fearful 
lest the conversation should be interrupted before he had 
said all he wished, added quickly : 

“I’ve made up my mind to jump from the forecastle 
into the cabin by going after that brig, taking her to 
Hong Kong, and from there home, if possible.” 

“You’ve made up what?” the mate asked, in surprise. 

Ben repeated the words. 

“ Well, I ’ll be blowed ! ” and Mr. Short really looked 
as if he was preparing himself for such an ordeal. He 
stepped back a few paces, surveyed the young man from 
head to foot, pursed his lips, gave vent to a prolonged 
whistle, and Ben was unable to determine if it was ex- 
pressive of astonishment or scorn. “ So you ’re countin’ 
on runnin’ down to Nampang Island, cuttin’ out a brig 
that’s got for a crew a negro and a child, an’ some fine 
day slipping across to New York ! Well, you ain’t 
thinkin’ of doin’ much, are you ? You don ’t want a very 
big portion of this world, do you ? If this is your idea 
of what a sailor can accomplish after he ’s been to sea two 
years an’ a half, it ’s mighty lucky for all hands aboard 
the Sportsman that you have n’t lived in the forecastle 
any longer, or you’d be takin’ charge of this ’ere crowd.” 

“ Now don’t make sport of me, Mr. Short. I can do 
exactly what I have said, as you know, providing I have 
the chance, and nobody is any better aware of my ability 
as a sailor than you. I ask you fairly and squarely if 
you don’t think it possible ? ” 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 


21 


“Well, Ben, my boy, I must confess that you could 
do it as well as I, providin’, — an’ now I want you to listen 
to the provide. If that ’ere brig was manned and pro- 
visioned in proper shape, it could be done by you jest as 
well as by me. You see she’s owned by the same firm 
we ’re workin’ for now.” 

“ Owned by the same firm ? ” Ben repeated, in surprise. 

“Yes, lad, an’ I’ve seen her many a time. Your 
father would n’t hesitate to take charge of her at once, 
an’ I suppose he will, after he knows the whole story.” 

“Then he’ll have to put a master aboard.” 

“That’s true, an’ I allow the second officer will get 
that job ; but perhaps you stand a chance to step into 
his shoes.” 

“ And that’s what I don’t choose to do. I want a vessel 
of my own, and here’s an’ opportunity to get one.” 

“ I admit there is, my boy ; but it strikes me you’re 
bitin’ off a little more’n you can chew this time. You see 
it ’s jest like this : In the first place your father is bound 
to send somebody down there, if he finds the consignees 
in Hong Kong have n’t already done so.” 

“ It is n’t likely they know where she is, and, besides, 
she can’t be consigned there, for, if the sailor tells the 
truth, she’s light.” 

“ Then what is she doin’ ’round here ? ” 

“ I don’t know ; but he said she was in ballast, and 
was n’t provisioned, or, at least, they had broken into her 
stores until there was precious little left. I reckon they 
wasted three pounds where they ate one.” 


22 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ That stands to reason. Give a sailorman run of the 
grub, an’ you’re breakin’ the owners mighty quick. Now, 
Ben, I want to give you a piece of advice. Your father 
must know this whole story, an’ you’re bound to tell it. 
Captain Thompson ain’t the kind of a man that would let 
one of his sailors slip off in the way you count on doin’, 
an’ when that sailor happens to be his son, why, boy, 
there’d be marks of ratline stuff on your back for a month, 
if he should catch you.” 

“ I suppose there would,” Ben replied, ruefully ; “ but at 
the same time I’m going to make a try for it. From what 
you’ve said I don’t suppose you are willing to help me ? ” 

“ Not while you’re workin’ behind your father’s back, 
lad. If he gives the word, you can count on me for all 
I’m worth.” 

“ But I’ll tell him before I go,” Ben said, and the mate 
replied, grimly : 

“You will if you’re wise, lad ; but there’s no harm in 
keepin’ your mouth shut until we arrive in port, an’ I 
won’t let on that you know any more than the rest of us 
are supposed to. Get your man into the deck-house 
when I go off duty, and we ’ll have another talk with 
him.” 

Ben’s ardor was slightly dampened by this conversation 
with Mr. Short ; but at the same time his resolution was 
unchanged. 

“ I ’ll go just as far as I can before saying anything to 
father,” he thought, “and then if he sits down on the 
scheme I can’t help myself.” 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 


23 


An hour later Mr. Short was off duty, and B$n had 
made the desired arrangements. 

The deserter was in the deck-house where Ben had 
summoned him for the purpose of consulting as to the best 
method of his escape from the ship, and, in order that the 
man might not be alarmed by the coming of the first 
officer, the boy had explained to him that Mr. Short was 
to assist in his departure. 

“It won’t do for me to stay here very long,” the sailor 
said as Mr. Short entered the deck-house, “for if my 
mate gets on to my tellin’ of what has been done, things 
will be pretty lively.” 

“ I reckon he won’t prance ’round this ship very much,” 
the first officer said, grimly ; “ but at the same time, if 
you’re countin’ on leavin’ unbeknownst to anybody, I allow 
it ain’t well he should know you are talkin’ with us. Now, 
my man, I want you to give me the same yarn you spun 
to Ben, an’ straight, mind you, or there’ll be trouble.” 

“ I ain’t tellin’ anything that’s crooked,” the man replied, 
in an injured tone. 

“Oh, no, I s’pose not. You spun the other yarns jest 
as straight as this last one, eh ? ” 

“ The story I gave the young chap is straight, anyhow,” 
the man replied, doggedly. 

“Go ahead with it, then.” 

The sailor repeated his account of the desertion exactly 
as he had to Ben, the mate, meanwhile, cross- questioning 
closely, but without being able to trip him in the slightest 
particular. 


24 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


As to why the brig was bound to Hong Kong in ballast, 
the sailor was .unable to say, as a matter of course. He 
could only describe her location at the time of their leav- 
ing, and repeated again that the only persons on board 
were a negro steward and the captain’s child. 

“ Who’s takin’ care of the young one ? ” Mr. Short asked. 

“ If the nigger ain’t doin’ it, I reckon things are goin’ 
’bout as they please. All I was thinkin’ of at the time 
was to get shut of the brig, an’ was willin’ to let them as 
we left behind run matters to suit themselves. Now if 
you ’ve got through with me, sir, I ’ll go on deck, for I ’ve 
been here too long already.” 

Mr. Short motioned toward the door, and the man 
departed, Ben gazing eagerly into the officer’s face as if 
to ask what he thought of the matter now. 

“It stands jest about where it did, lad,” the mate re- 
plied, as if reading the question in the boy’s eyes. “ I 
allow the sailor is tellin’ the truth this time, an’ yet I don’t 
see as that wild scheme of yours looks any better than it 
did before. What I said a while ago fits in now, an’ I feel 
like givin’ the advice over agin. Do whatever you’re a 
mind to towards gettin’ ready for the voyage ; but don’t 
really start till you ’ve talked with the captain, an’ told 
him all you know.” 

From that hour until the Sportsman arrived in port, 
Ben was constantly speculating as to how he might best 
accomplish that upon which he was determined, and when 
the ship’s anchors were let go he had a definite plan in 
his mind as to the course which should be p.ursued. 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 


25 


Fortune favored the man who had turned informer 
against his companions. 

Night had just come on when the ship was moored, and 
Ben’s acquaintance was keenly alive to the fact that he 
must make his escape before the harbour -master should 
come aboard. 

Mr. Short was on duty, and, in order to forward the 
scheme, had had two of the boats, in addition to the cap- 
tain’s gig, lowered, one being the craft purporting to have 
come from the Progressive Age. 

“ If your man don’t get away within ten minutes it ’ll 
be too late,” Mr. Short said in a low tone as he passed 
Ben, who was leaning over the rail awaiting the develop- 
ments of his scheme, and the sailor who had particular 
interest in these arrangements approached at this moment. 

The remainder of the work was comparatively easy. 

Ben repeated to the man what the mate had said, and 
added on his own account : 

“ If you look alive you can get away now without any 
one’s seeing. Stand here, and if I whistle before you ’re 
over the rail, lounge forward again.” 

The sailor made no reply, but disappeared in the 
gloom, and Ben, after waiting ten minutes, looked over 
the side. 

The boat from the Progressive Age had disappeared, 
and that the man had made good his escape was equally 
certain, therefore the boy’s responsibility in the matter 
ceased. 

Whether the first or second officer had reported to the 


26 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


captain the discrepancies in the alleged shipwrecked men’s 
stories, Ben did not know ; but he heard the order given 
to have the newcomers secured below, where there would 
be no opportunity of their being able to gain the shore. 

Hardly ten minutes elapsed from the time the informer 
made his escape before this was done, and the young 
sailor thought he had reason for believing the chief mate 
had had some hand in arranging the matter with a view 
ol enabling him to make good his promise. 

Although Ben had been so eager to see Hong Kong, he 
appeared to take no notice of the city on this evening, and, 
instead of joining his friends among the crew in planning 
excursions when they should have a day’s liberty, spent 
his time poring over a chart of the China Sea, which had 
been loaned him by Mr. Short. 

On the following morning Captain Thompson went on 
shore. Ben knew that his first visit would be to the 
consul’s, his second to the agents of the ship, and it 
was reasonable to suppose the business would be con- 
cluded by noon, therefore, when the first officer was in 
command, he proffered the request for liberty. 

As may be fancied, it was readily granted, and with it 
came a bit of advice. 

“ You can go, lad, of course ; but remember what I say, 
an’ mind your eye.” 

Ben intended to “ mind his eye,” and take advantage of 
every opportunity at the same time. He was in no hurry 
to land, because he had figured out the probable time 
which would be spent by his father at the office of the 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 2*] 

consignees, and he wished to arrive immediately after the 
business was concluded. 

In this he was successful. 

He announced his name and relationship to the master 
of the Sportsman , and the consignee replied, thinking his 
only business was to see his father : 

“Captain Thompson has just left. You will find him 
at the Hong Kong Hotel.” 

“ And that is just what I don’t want to do yet awhile, 
sir,” Ben replied. “ I would like to talk with you first, 
and then I will find him.” 

The agent appeared slightly surprised by this remark, 
but made no comment, and Ben unfolded his scheme 
without delay. 

He related the story of the rescue of the sailors, with 
which the gentleman had already been made acquainted, 
and also detailed what he had learned from the informer. 

Then he told of his scheme, explaining that he wished 
to arrange matters, if possible, with the agent, before 
speaking with his father, and declared that he could get 
the brig from Nampang Island to Hong Kong without 
assistance, save from such native sailors as he might be 
able to pick up. 

“And do you think you could navigate her ? ” the gen- 
tleman asked, displaying sufficient interest in the matter 
to satisfy the young sailor. 

“ I’m certain of it. It won’t be an easy matter for you 
to find a captain in port, so why not take me ? ” 

“ But I really have no authority in the matter,” the gen- 


28 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


tleman replied. “We attend to the business of the 
Messrs. Pierce, but have no instructions regarding the 
brig Progressive Age. Under the circumstances I should 
hesitate before fitting her for sea until after communicat- 
ing with the owners.” 

“ That means she would have to lay here a very long 
while ? ” 

“ Exactly ; and it would entail much loss. At the same 
time I should n’t feel warranted in doing anything on my 
own responsibility.” 

“ Don’t you suppose the owners would like to have her 
home ?” Ben asked. 

“ There ’s no question about it, and very likely would 
be willing to pay a good round sum. The matter had 
better be referred to the American consul.” 

“ Then it is n’t possible for you to give me any authority 
in the matter ? ” Ben asked, in a tone of grievous disap- 
pointment. 

“No; and yet I am willing to assume this much respon- 
sibility : if your father says you are capable of managing 
such a craft, I ’ll authorise you to take possession of her 
wherever she may be — providing she is in such a condi- 
tion as you describe. Then, upon arriving at Hong Kong, 
it is possible the matter can be arranged to your satisfac- 
tion ; but I am afraid not.” 

“ And I have your authority to bring her here ? ” 

“Yes, after I have talked with Captain Thompson.” 

Ben understood that it would be useless for him to make 
any further conversation with the agent, and he departed 


A SELF- ELECTED CAPTAIN. 


2 9 


with all speed to find his father, a task which was not dif- 
ficult, owing to the fact that the master of the Sportsman , 
having met some friends of his at the hotel, was likely to 
remain there a long time. 

Ben’s enthusiasm was quite as great as ever, but he 
began to have doubts as to the possibility of being allowed 
to carry into effect what the chief mate had termed “a 
wild scheme.” 

It was fully half an hour before he could gain an inter- 
view with his father, and then hurriedly, as if time was of 
the utmost value, he repeated all he had heard from the 
sailor, and asked of the agent. 

Captain Thompson listened to him patiently ; made no 
comments either upon the story or the scheme, and, when 
Ben had concluded, said severely : 

“ I make it a rule never to transact business with my 
men on shore, except at the consul’s office. You could 
have asked to see me at any time on board the Sportsman 
before we came to anchor, but did not choose to do so. 
Therefore we will defer the matter until I return to the 
ship. I must say, however, that it would have been more 
befitting you as a sailor to have given this information to 
your captain at once, instead of withholding it in order to 
go to the consignees without his knowledge.” 

“ I am willing to admit that, sir ; but at the same time 
there is some slight excuse for me in the fact that I 
hoped, if I should gain the consent of the agent to the 
scheme, you would be more ready to look upon it with 
favour, than before anything had been done. I am quite 


30 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


certain, sir, you must have been as eager, when you were 
young, to rise from the forecastle to the cabin as I am, 
and, possibly, would have been as willing to risk giving 
slight offence to your superior officer for the sake of 
accomplishing your purpose.” 

Ben delivered this little speech respectfully, but yet 
very earnestly, and even had there been no kinship 
between them, there was so much truth in the words that 
the captain could not fail to receive them in the same 
spirit in which they were intended. 


CHAPTER III. 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 

T)EN did not appear particularly jolly when he came 
over the side of the ship after his visit ashore, and 
Mr. Short said, as he stepped on deck : 

“Well, lad, it don’t look as if you had met any too 
much encouragement since you ’ve been gone.” 

“Indeed, I didn’t,” Ben replied, and then he went to 
the deck-house as if wishing to shut himself out from 
view of his shipmates while he recovered from the disap- 
pointment. 

Although his father had not positively refused to allow 
him to carry out his scheme, he had very little hope of 
being permitted to attempt it, and his sorrow was as great 
proportionately as his aim had been high. 

Not until half an hour elapsed did he show himself 
again, and then he could not fail to comment upon the 
fact that the deserters from the brig were no longer on 
board. 

“ What became of those fellows we picked up ? ” he 
asked the steward. 

“ They went ashore in irons. I reckon the consul must 
have sent for them. That second mate will have to post 
his men better, if he wants to keep out of the jug.” 


31 


32 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


It seemed as if this was the last blow to the young 
sailor’s hopes, for now the fact of the condition of the 
brig would no longer be a secret, and others, beside him, 
might think it a remarkably good opportunity to claim 
salvage, or, at least, a rich reward, for extricating her from 
what was really a dangerous position. 

When the natives should learn that the Progressive Age 
was in such a defenceless condition, it would not be long 
before a sufficient number, piratically inclined, would 
spirit her away. 

“ It ’s foolish to think about it any more,” he said, as 
he busied himself with some trifling duty on deck. “ It ’s 
such a chance as a fellow does n’t often have ; but I ’ve 
lost it, so there ’s no use crying over what can’t be 
helped.” 

Before two hours elapsed Ben had succeeded in getting 
himself into a reasonably comfortable frame of mind by 
resolutely putting far from him all “ might have beens,” 
and trying to look forward to the future hopefully, for 
some opportunity of winning his way from the position 
of seaman to that of master of a ship. 

Then the captain came on board, and, ten minutes later, 
Ben was summoned to the cabin. 

He found his father looking over a chart of the coast, 
and, thanks to his long study of a similar document, he 
recognised the outlines of Nampang Island. 

“ Did you come directly aboard after you left me ? ” the 
captain asked. 

“ Yes, sir.” 


NAMPANG ISLAND . 


33 


“No further discussion with the consignees ? ” 

“ No, sir. After hearing what you had to say, it did 
not seem as if there was any good reason why I should 
figure on the chances of bringing the brig into port.” 

“Well, boy, I have half a mind to let you try the 
scheme. The Progressive Age belongs to the same par- 
ties who own the Sportsman, and, as a matter of fact, it 
is, in a certain sense, my duty to protect their property 
under such circumstances as now exist. Suppose I was 
willing you should make the attempt, how would you 
set about it?” 

“ Go down to Nampang Island the best way I could, in 
a sampan, if nothing else offers, for, according to my idea, 
it is of the greatest importance to reach there at the 
earliest possible moment. Then I would engage such 
men as could be found on the island and around the 
coast, and work her up here.” 

“You do not understand the Chinese language. How 
do you propose to handle a Chinese crew?” 

“ If I could n’t find some one to act as interpreter, I ’d 
be willing to guarantee I could make them understand 
what I meant before we got under way. If she ’s light, 
so much the more reason for running up. under easy sail, 
and I reckon I could do a little more than an able sea- 
man’s work myself, if the reward at the end of it was a 
possible captaincy.” 

“ And you expect to jump directly from the forecastle 
into the cabin, eh ? ” 

“ It has been done before, sir. There seems to me no 


34 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


reason why a man should not, if he is competent to take 
command of a vessel.” 

“ Do you think you are ? ” 

“ I am certain of it, sir.” 

“ Well, my boy, I ’m going to let you make the venture. 
The consul will give you authority to take charge of the 
brig ; but remember this, if through your carelessness or 
ignorance, or even through stress of circumstances over 
which you have no control, anything should happen to the 
craft, your chances of ever being master would be very 
much smaller than they are at present. A mistake now 
will be serious, so far as your reputation is concerned, for 
no matter what might occur in the way of disaster, it 
would be set down to your inexperience, even though you 
should handle her more carefully and skilfully than an 
older captain.” 

“ I understand that, sir, and probably should take more 
precautions than an older man.” 

“ I have no doubt of it. If you are willing to take the 
risk, go ahead. How much money do you need ? ” 

“ I reckon I can get along with the wages that are due 
me, sir. I had rather not borrow.” 

“ But it is necessary you should go very quickly.” 

“Yes, sir, and I shall have sufficient funds for that pur- 
pose if I take up my wages.” 

The captain gave Ben an order on the consignees of the 
ship, saying as he did so : 

“ I suppose you would prefer Chinese money, since you 
are going down the coast ? This is the full amount of your 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 


35 


wages to date, and if you spend it without accomplishing 
the purpose, you will be penniless while we lie in Hong 
Kong.” 

Ben thanked his father, ran to his sea-chest to make 
such change in his costume as he thought might be neces- 
sary, acquainted Mr. Short with the good news, and hurried 
ashore, saying as he clambered over the rail : 

“ I’ll see you when I come back with the money, for I 
may want you to help me hire a boat.” 

After getting his father’s order cashed, he wasted very 
little time at the consul’s. A power of attorney had been 
made out, and was ready for him. 

Without stopping to give any details as to his proposed 
journey, he hurried back to Pedder’s Wharf. 

Mr. Short, having learned from the captain under what 
auspices the young sailor would set out, was on shore wait- 
ing for his return, and said as Ben came on to the dock : 

“ I don’t see, lad, that there ’s any show of your gettin’ 
down to the island except in a sampan. It ’s hard on to 
an hundred an’ fifty miles from here.” 

“ Then the sooner I hire one the better, for I want to 
be on my way within an hour.” 

“ Had n’t you better try to pick up some sailors from 
here to take down with you ? ” 

“ No, sir,” Ben replied, emphatically. “ If I accomplish 
this I want all the credit, and by taking Americans with 
me it would be claimed that they helped engineer the job. 
The only question is, how much I shall have to pay for a 
boat to carry me down there?” 


36 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“We ’ll hunt around a bit. I don’t see any here,” Mr. 
Short replied, thoughtfully. 

“ It looks to me as if there were plenty.” 

" Why, you are not countin’ on tryin’ it in one of these 
small craft, are you ? ” 

“ Of course ; what’s to hinder ? I reckon they will keep 
above water till I get there, and the smaller she is the less 
money to pay.” 

“ It strikes me you ’re bound to make this scheme as 
dangerous as you know how, an’ yet the orders are that 
you are not to be interfered with in any way.” 

Then Mr. Short began bargaining with one of the native 
boatmen ; Ben purchased a limited amount of provisions, 
and in less than two hours from the time his father had 
given permission, the would-be captain started on what was 
certainly a venturesome, if not decidedly perilous, voyage. 

Of the journey in the sampan it is not necessary to 
speak at length, save concerning one apparently trifling 
episode, since, despite the opportunity for adventure, the 
voyage was as uneventful as can well be imagined. 

The boatmen had been employed to take their pas- 
sengers to Nampang Island, where all their responsibility 
would cease, and, in order to earn their money quickly, 
made no halt ; but urged the frail craft at her best speed 
inside the chain of islands along the coast. 

Ben had no reason to fret because of delay, save in the 
one instance referred to, and that was so trifling that, eager 
though he was to arrive at his destination, he would have 
been ashamed to complain. 


NAMPA NG ISLAND. 


37 


It was when they were rounding the point of Chang- 
Chuen Island that the owner of the boat was hailed by 
some one on the shore, and an instant later a sampan put 
out to intercept the travelers. 

The islander did not come on board ; but, with his craft 
alongside the other, held an animated conversation with 
Ben’s boatmen, and, by the glances cast toward him from 
time to time, the young captain understood he was the 
subject of the discussion, but in what manner it was im- 
possible to say, since he had no knowledge of the language. 

“ It strikes me those fellows are jabbering away too 
excitedly to be strictly innocent of any wrong, ” Ben said 
to himself, making certain his revolver was where it could 
be reached at an instant’s notice. “ It looks as if this last 
Chinaman was trying to persuade the others to tackle me 
for what money might be got ; but it would n’t be a paying 
job, I’ll go bail on that.” 

If the newcomer was attempting to urge his acquaint- 
ances into anything of the kind, the effort was a failure, 
for, after conversing ten minutes or more, the three sepa- 
rated, apparently with professions of the most profound 
regard and esteem for each other, and the little craft was 
pushed forward toward her destination once more. 

It never entered Ben’s mind that their conversation 
might possibly have reference to the brig he was intend- 
ing to take to Hong Kong, and half an hour later had 
almost forgotten the circumstance. 

As a matter of course he was on the alert against 
possible mischief, as he had been from the moment of 


38 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


leaving port ; but no suspicious actions were seen, and he 
began to think these boatmen of his were as honest as any 
of their competitors to be found in the vicinity of Pedder’s 
Wharf, which was not giving them very great praise. 

In a little more than half the time he had allowed for 
the voyage, the owner of the craft directed his attention 
to a square - rigged brig lying at anchor close to the 
island. 

“ Poglesef Egg,” the Chinaman said, as he pointed to 
the vessel, and Ben could almost have hugged himself for 
joy, on noting the fact that the decks were deserted. 

It was evident the natives had not discovered her defence- 
less condition, and he had arrived in time to put into exe- 
cution the plan already formed in his mind. 

He would have been pleased to hire his sampan men 
for a while longer, in order to recruit a sufficient crew to 
take the brig up the coast ; but their knowledge of Eng- 
lish was quite as limited as his of Chinese, consequently 
it was impossible to make any proposition which could be 
understood. 

Ben did not go through the formality of hailing the 
brig; but clambered on board by the fore- shrouds, and 
instantly he had gained a footing on the vessel, the boat- 
men put off on their return, as if a delay of even a moment 
might work great injury in their business. 

“ I should n’t be surprised if I ’d taken a bigger con- 
tract than I counted on,” Ben said to himself, as he sun 
veyed the deck while standing on the rail. “ Those sail 
ors were not satisfied with abandoning the craft, but it 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 


39 


looks very much as if they tried to do all the mischief 
possible before leaving.” 

There was good reason why the self - elected captain 
should feel dismayed by the task before him. 

Hardly a rope was in place ; the decks were strewn 
with litter of all kinds, and it would be difficult to im- 
agine a scene of greater confusion than that presented 
from Ben’s point of view. 

“ Brig ahoy ! ” the young sailor shouted, as he leaped 
down from the rail, and an instant later a black, woolly 
head appeared from the door of the galley, the ebony face 
of which displayed signs of the liveliest fear. 

“ Whar — whar — whar you’se cum frum ? ” the owner 
of the head asked, in a trembling voice, acting as if unde- 
cided whether it would not be safer to barricade himself 
inside his kitchen, than run the risk of an encounter with 
a person who had apparently risen from the bottom of the 
sea. 

“I ’m just from Davy Jones’s locker, and come to find 
out why you are living so long,” Ben replied, with a laugh, 
as he resolutely banished the fears which had assailed him 
after one glance at the decks. 

“G’way frum hyar ! G ’way frum hyar ! ” the cook 
shouted, and disappeared for an instant to procure a long 
carving-knife, which he waved to and fro frantically as the 
young man approached the galley. 

“ Put up that knife. Put it back where you got it from. 
I have n’t come down here to do you any harm ; but only 
to take charge of the brig. We picked up some of your 


40 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


men who deserted the other day, and found out you were 
in trouble.” 

The old man dropped his knife, clasped his hands, rolled 
his eyes heavenward until nothing but the white portions 
could be seen, and shouted fervently : 

“ Bress de Lawd ! Bress de Lawd ! ” 

“ Did n’t any of the sailors stay with you ? ” Ben asked, 
as the old darkey arose to his feet. 

“ Not one ob ’em, massa captain. Ebery blessed man ob 
’em runned away when de brig was tied up to de anchor, 
an’ nobody’s down hyar but Missy Belle an’ old ’Liphlet.” 

“ I suppose Missy Belle is the baby, eh ?” 

“ She am, an’ de sweetes’ chile dis yere ole nigger eber 
saw.” 

“ Then she is a girl, of course ? ” and even as he spoke 
Ben realised what a foolish question he had asked. 

“ For suah.” 

“ Where is she now ? ” 

“ In de cabin, sah. She ’s gwine to be des erbout tickled 
to def fo’ to see yo’, sah.” 

“ I did n’t come down here to take care of children, 
so I don’t suppose there is any need of hunting her up 
until we get into port, providing she is old enough to feed 
herself. All I ask is that she’ll stay where she belongs, 
and won’t come yelling around while I ’m trying to work 
the brig with a lot of Chinamen, for if there’s anything I 
do hate it is to hear a young one squall, and it seems as 
if that was about all they did, especially at sea. I tell 
you, uncle — ” 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 


41 


Ben did not finish the sentence, and it is more than 
probable he wished very heartily he had kept his opinions 
regarding children to himself, for at that instant, as he 
half turned to look around while continuing his speech 
with the cook, he saw standing within a few feet of him 
as charming a specimen of young womanhood as it had 
ever been his good fortune to meet. 

His hat was off his head in an instant, and, while doing 
his best to make a graceful bow, he said, stammeringly : 

“ I beg your pardon, miss ; but the cook here told me 
there was no one but himself and a child on board. ” 

“ Uncle Eliphalet only speaks the truth,” the young 
lady replied. “ I am the child.” 

Ben’s confusion increased rather than diminished, and, 
despite all his efforts, he could summon no words to his 
lips more gallant than — 

“ The sailor spoke of you as a child, and I had an idea 
I was going to find a little bit of a thing — I mean, an 
infant.” 

“The sailor,” the young lady repeated, in surprise. 
“ Have you seen any of our crew ? ” 

Ben explained how he had learned of the condition of 
the vessel, and when he concluded the young lady asked 
doubtfully : 

“ Are you empowered, sir, to take command of this 
brig?” 

“ I am,” Ben replied, promptly, recovering his presence 
of mind now that they were speaking of business, “ and 
here is my authority,” he added, as he handed her the 


42 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


power of attorney. “ My father is employed by the same 
house that owns this craft, and since the consignees felt 
doubtful about taking any very decided steps in the mat- 
ter, until ascertaining the wishes of the owners, it was 
agreed I might come down to bring her into port. My 
most earnest wish is that I may be allowed to carry her 
home.” 

“ You look very young, sir, to be a captain.” 

“ I never have been as yet ; but am capable of taking 
command of this craft.” 

The girl looked at him questioningly an instant, as if 
hardly crediting this bold assertion, and then asked : 

“ Where are the crew ? ” 

“ I have none as yet ; but am counting on picking up 
enough natives to handle the brig. We sha’ n’t need 
many men to run from here to Hong Kong, for I reckon 
on taking the place of two or three myself ! ” 

It was evident this statement was not as satisfactory to 
the “ child ” as Ben had fancied it might be. 

For an instant she appeared at a loss to know what to 
say, and then, as the pause became almost painful, replied, 
with a faint smile which Ben thought very bewitching : 

“ Will you come into the cabin, sir ? I can’t offer you 
much in the way of refreshments, for the crew have 
helped themselves, and wasted the stores until there is 
very little left.” 

“ I hope you have not been suffering for anything to 
eat,” and then Ben asked himself whether as dainty a 
looking specimen of humanity really did eat ordinary food. 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 


43 


“ Oh, dear, no. Uncle Eliphalet has always contrived 
to dish up something in the way of dainties, and I have 
been to sea too long to be fastidious about my food.” 

One glance at the cabin of the Progressive Age showed 
that it had been the home of a woman, for nowhere 
can the imprint of a woman’s hand be seen so plainly as 
at sea, where one least expects to find evidences of 
refinement. 

The main saloon on board the Sportsman was furnished 
much more elegantly than this small apartment, on either 
side of which were bunks for the officers and passengers, 
and yet in Ben’s eyes the former was not nearly as 
inviting a place as was this. 

A bird - cage, a work - basket, a bit of ribbon here and 
a piece of half - finished embroidery there, made such a 
change in the general appearance of the apartment as 
could not have been effected by man. 

Ben had expected to enter the cabin of the Progressive 
Age as master, and take formal possession, instead of 
which he followed this young woman, not much more 
than half as tall as himself, with the air of one who was 
intruding, and very meekly seated himself in the chair 
toward which she motioned. 

“ Having heard the story from the men, you doubtless 
know of all the trouble I have had during this voyage,” 
the young lady began, and Ben, fearing he should be the 
means of bringing her grief more clearly before her 
mind, hastened to say : 

“ I did hear, Miss — Miss — ” 


44 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ Dunham, sir. My father was George Dunham, of 
Yarmouth.” 

“ It is not necessary I should ask you for any informa- 
tion which may be painful, since the log-book will tell me 
what I need to know.” 

“ There is no reason why you should not learn all you 
care to hear from me. The sorrow remains in my heart 
whether I speak of it or not.” 

“Will you tell me where the Progressive Age was 
bound for ? ” 

“ Formosa.” 

“ I wonder why the crew abandoned her here, instead 
of making that port ? ” 

“ I think it was because the second mate no longer 
felt able to control the men. After the death of my 
father and the first officer, he gave himself up almost 
entirely to drinking, and allowed the crew free access to 
the spirits, until it was impossible to enforce obedience.” ' 

“ It must have been a terrible time for you,” Ben said, 
half to himself, and she replied, sadly : 

“ Indeed it was, sir. It seemed as if I must be under 
the influence of some terrible dream, and even to be 
abandoned here, with no one but the steward on board, 
was a great relief. I should give the men credit for treat- 
ing me with all possible respect ; but the respect of 
drunken men is oftentimes brutal.” 

Ben wanted to say something expressive of sympathy, 
and yet never before had he found it so difficult to decide 
upon what words should be used. 


NAMPANG ISLAND. 


45 


“ I hope your troubles are over now," was all he could 
think of at the time, and then, conscious of the fact that 
he was appearing very ill at ease, not as should the com- 
mander of a vessel, he added, “ I think my first duty is to 
inspect the brig, with a view of ascertaining her condition 
for a run up the coast, and also question the steward as 
to the supplies on board.” If you will excuse me, I will 
set about it at once.” 

“Let me go with you,” she said, quickly. “It is such 
a blessed relief, after these days of terrible anxiety, to 
have some one with whom I can speak.” 

Ben was on the point of saying something about the 
good fortune of a young captain in having such a charm- 
ing mate to accompany him on a tour of inspection ; but 
he checked himself as he realised that neither the length 
of their acquaintance nor the circumstances would 
warrant anything of the kind. 


CHAPTER IV. 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 

A CAREFUL survey of the vessel was not calculated 
to make the young captain more comfortable in 

mind. 

She was short of everything in the way of supplies ; it 
was necessary very much should be done to the running 
gear ; the paint was in shocking condition, and when 
Eliphalet gave an account of the provisions on hand, Ben 
doubted whether there would be sufficient to feed even a 
Chinese crew for a week. 

Had he been in port with plenty of money at his com- 
mand, it would have seemed like quite a task to get the 
brig in proper sailing trim ; but here, where probably little, 
if anything, could be procured from the shore, it appeared 
a formidable undertaking. 

Fortunately, so far as the pockets of the owners and the 
fate of the Progressive Age was concerned, he did not 
shrink from the task. 

The first and most important duty to be performed 
was the hiring of a native crew, and now it was that he 
regretted not having insisted that the boatmen remain 
to take him ashore. 

“I can’t understand why those Chinamen gave me the 
slip so soon after we got here. It looked as if they were 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 


4 7 


afraid to wait a single minute. I made a mistake in pay- 
ing them before I came on board,” Ben said to himself. 
“ What I should have done was to have let them stay until 
I made certain they would n’t be needed. However, it ’s 
too late to think of that now ; I must go ashore, and try 
to scare up somebody who can talk pidgin -English, if 
nothing more.” 

This last thought was spoken aloud, and, hearing it, 
Miss Dunham said quickly : 

“You surely will not land until after having had some- 
thing to eat. The steward is preparing a lunch ; but you 
will not find it remarkable either in quality or quantity.” 

“ I suppose I might as well eat something if he is get- 
ting it ready ; but really, there is no necessity of anything 
of the kind,” Ben replied. “Those Chinamen shared their 
rice with me ; I had some provisions of my own, and do 
not feel at all hungry.” 

He was quite positive in his own mind that he had no 
right to spend his time with the young woman, owing to 
the many duties which it was necessary should be per- 
formed without delay ; but it seemed almost cruel to leave 
her within fifteen minutes after his arrival, more especially 
when she had told him how lonely the past few weeks had 
been, therefore he resolved to spend several hours in idle- 
ness rather than have her think him a boor. 

It is probable that if Captain Dunham’s daughter had 
been less charming, Ben would not have been quite so 
careful regarding her feelings ; but one pretty girl can 
influence a young man in a wonderful degree. 


48 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Eliphalet may not have had very much in the way of 
provisions at his disposal ; but he certainly, or so it seemed 
to Ben at the time, prepared a dainty lunch. 

Perhaps the company he was in had some effect, or it 
might have been the knowledge that for the first time in 
his life he was really in command of a vessel, although one 
without a crew. At all events, he decided that he had 
never sat down to a more satisfactory repast, and made 
no attempt to bring it to a speedy conclusion. 

Before rising from the table he learned very much rela- 
tive to Miss Dunham’s life on board the Progressive Age. 

He knew she was motherless ; that she was a good 
sailor, owing to the fact of having made three voyages 
with her father, who had been an able commander, and, 
during the past two years at least, had hardly known a 
sorrow, until Captain Dunham, stricken with fever, died 
suddenly a few weeks prior to the desertion of the crew. 

From that moment up to the present time Ben could 
readily fancy what her life must have been, although she 
touched but lightly on the subject while relating to him 
the incidents of the voyage. 

When the lunch was concluded the young lady excused 
herself for a few moments to bring a box of cigars from 
her father’s room, as she said : 

“ I suppose you smoke, captain ? It is a failing which 
I believe all sailors have, and, fortunately, the crew has 
not interfered with anything aft of the pantry.” 

Now, as a matter of fact, Ben had never smoked ; but 
when she called him captain, and referred to the belief 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 


49 


that all seamen were in the habit of using tobacco, he felt 
in duty bound to help himself from the box, for, singular 
as it may seem, he wished to appear very much of a man, 
in her eyes at least. 

She brought him a match, and he lighted the cigar in a 
clumsy sort of fashion, wondering how long it would be 
safe for him to smoke it. 

Then she began to ask him concerning his plans for 
hiring a crew, and he explained at greater length than was 
absolutely necessary, why he must go on shore before 
nightfall. 

Miss Dunham expressed regret at being left alone again, 
and Ben tried so hard to assure her he should be absent 
only a short while, that for the time he forgot what a rapid 
inroad was being made upon the strong tobacco. 

When he finally realised this important fact his head 
was swimming in a most unaccountable fashion, and he 
wondered what excuse he could make to leave the cabin 
in order to get a breath of fresh air, and, at the same time, 
quietly drop the ill-tasting cigar overboard. 

It was destined that Eliphalet should be the one to 
extricate the young captain from his disagreeable position. 

“I’se gwineter arsk yo’, missy, ef I kin talk wid de 
captin ? I ’se wantin’ fo’ to see him pow’ful bad fur a 
little minute,” the old man said, as he put his head in at 
the cabin door. 

Never did Ben reply so promptly to a steward’s call as 
on this occasion. 

He leaped quickly to his feet, excused himself hurriedly 


50 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


to Miss Dunham, lest by waiting a few moments longer 
his face would betray the rebellion in his stomach, and 
went on deck in the least possible space of time. 

Once the door was closed behind him, his first act was 
to throw the cigar overboard, and then, seizing the main 
rigging to steady himself, faced the steward. 

There could be no complaint that the black face was 
expressionless, for the liveliest concern was written on 
every feature, as the old darkey, prefacing his questions 
with an apology for daring to interrogate the commander 
of the brig, asked : 

“ Am it de sure enuff trufe you’se tole de young missy, 
’bout gwine fur er crowd ob dem low-down yeller men ? ” 

“ Why, yes, uncle, that ’s the only way open for us 
now. You don’t fancy we can find white men around 
these islands, do you ? ” 

The old man shook his head, mournfully ; but made no 
reply, and the young captain asked, impatiently. 

“ What ’s the matter ? Are you one of those stewards 
who interfere with the sailors, and think you can ’t get 
along with the Chinese ? ” 

“ No, sah. I ’se allers ’tendin’ out de bes’ I know how 
on all han’s ; but I ’se done gone ’fraid ob dese yere yeller 
men. While we ’se bin hyar seben or nine ob dem yere 
little skimmin’-pan boats hab kept mighty cluss ’roun’ de 
brig, an’ your uncle gwinter hab his ’pinyon wha’ dey 
cum fur. ” 

“ There ’s no question but that the natives here are 
none too good to seize the vessel if they thought it could 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 


51 


be done without much risk,” Ben replied, carelessly; “but 
you and I are a match for a dozen of those fellows, uncle, 
so don’t bother your black head about them any more. 
They won’t dare to go wrong after we once get the crew 
aboard. With any kind of a wind, a run up the coast can’t 
be more than a pleasure excursion.” 

The old man did not appear to be particularly well 
pleased with this reply, and it seemed as if he was forced 
to exercise considerable self-control in order to prevent 
himself from commenting upon the young captain’s re- 
mark. 

He stood a few moments as if in deepest study, and 
then said, hesitatingly : 

“ Dere’s one bit ob news I’se boun’ fur to tell yer, sah,” 
and bending toward Ben he whispered in the most tragic 
manner imaginable, “ Dis yere brig am hanted.” 

The young captain had heard too much of the supersti- 
tion of sailors to be very deeply impressed with this sup- 
posedly startling news, and contented himself by replying : 

“ We ’ll drive the ghosts out of here in short order, 
uncle. I ’m a regular voodoo on that sort of thing. I 
see the deserters left you a boat, and if you ’ll lay hold 
here with me, we ’ll drop it in the water.” 

“ Whar you’se gwine, sah?” the old man asked, without 
making any attempt to comply with what was at the same 
time a command and a request. 

“ Ashore to get my crew, of course. We must be under 
way by to-morrow morning.” 

“ Don’t do it, sah ! Don’t do it ! ” and the steward laid 


52 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


his hand on the young captain’s arm imploringly. “ I’se 
suah dere ’s gwine to be trubble ’roun’ dis yere craf’ ’fore 
mawnin’, an’ I spect it ’s er cumin’ right soon ef you done 
leabe us now.” 

“ Look here, uncle, don’t give me any more of that 
ghost business till I have time to attend to it. It is — ” 

“ It ain’ de ghostes, captin, it ain’t de ghostes ; but 
dese yere yeller men. Dey ’s gwine fo’ to make trubble 
mighty soon. I’se bin tryin’ fur to ’pare myse’f to take 
keer ob de young missy eber sence dem dish-pans cum 
flyin’ ’roun’. Now dey ’s gittin’ ready to swoop down on 
dis yere brig. Look -dar ! An’ dar ! ” the old darkey 
added, as he pointed to the shore where, for the first time, 
the young captain observed several sampans in which the 
crews were sitting as if waiting some signal before put- 
ting off. 

There was no necessity now for the steward to urge 
Ben to take every precaution. 

A descent of the natives upon the defenceless vessel 
was what the young captain had feared at the moment of 
hearing of the brig’s condition, and, in fact, during the 
journey from Hong Kong, almost fancied he should find 
she had been captured by the piratically inclined Chinese 
from the island. 

“ Have any of those fellows boarded the brig since you 
have been lying here ? ” he asked, quickly. 

“ No, sah, but dey hab hung ’roun’ mos’ly all de time 
wid dere narrer eyes open des as wide as could be, an’ dey 
knows how many ob us are hyar.” 



LOOK DAR ! ’ ” 




















* 




















































































































, 


























- 


























ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 


53 


“ Did Miss Dunham notice anything of the kind ? ” 
Ben asked, after a pause, during which he had been trying 
to decide what course to pursue. 

“No, sah, she ain’ been on deck berry much, an’ yer 
uncle kep’ his mouf shet mighty tight.” 

“ Are there any weapons on board ? ” 

“ I’se done gone ’pare ’em, sah,” and the steward ran 
into the deck-house, emerging a few seconds later with 
three formidable -looking carving-knives, which had evb 
dently been sharpened with great care. 

“Those don’t amount to anything,” Ben said, con- 
temptuously. “ Have n’t you any firearms ? ” 

“ De ole cap’n mus’ had a ’volver, sah, an’ dat ’s all 
we’se got on dis yere craf, ’cept de cannon in de fo’- 
peak what de crew was countin’ on bringin’ up fur to 
celebrater wid.” 

“ I ’ve got one revolver, and if there’s another in the 
captain’s room you and I will be armed. As for the 
cannon, we’ll look at that later. Can you shoot at a 
mark, uncle ? ” 

“ I could do dat, sah, but I’se pow’ful ’fraid de ole man 
would n’t make no great fis’ at hittin’ it,” and the steward 
rubbed his nose in perplexity as if trying to decide what 
he really would be able to do if called upon to use 
such a weapon. 

“Do you shut your eyes when you shoot ? ” 

“ Mos’ly, sah, mos’ly. Seems like de bullet done go 
better when I don’ watch it.” 

“ I reckon it does about as well,” Ben replied, grimly. 


54 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“Now the difficulty is to get a revolver without letting 
Miss Dunham know what we are about.” 

Eliphalet had no suggestion to offer as to how this 
might be done, and Ben, understanding now that there 
was little time for delay, started for the cabin. 

The knowledge of impending danger had driven from 
him all feeling of nausea, and at the same time restored 
to him his self-possession, which had been so sadly lacking 
during his first interview with the “mate of the brig.” 

“What is the matter?” Miss Dunham asked, as he 
entered the cabin. 

This was a question for which Ben was not prepared. 
To use his own expression he “was taken all aback by it.” 

“ Nothing ; that is to say, nothing of any account. You 
know stewards are always fussing about trifles,’ ” he 
replied, hesitatingly, not thinking it advisable to tell her 
either of the alleged ghosts or the possibility of a visit 
from the natives. “ I was looking around to see what we 
had to defend ourselves, rather, make ourselves obeyed. 
You know a Chinese crew must be kept in subjection, 
and we should be prepared for any emergency, although I 
assure you there is not the slightest danger. Are there 
any firearms in your father’s cabin ? ” 

“ Go in and look for yourself, sir. It will be necessary 
for you to occupy that room, since the charts and all of 
father’s instruments are there.” 

Ben hurriedly did as she suggested. He realised the 
fact that he had not acquitted himself very creditably so 
far as preventing her from seeing that he was disturbed in 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 55 

mind, and was eager to accomplish his purpose and leave 
the cabin before she could ask any more questions. 

In this he was not successful, however. 

He found in the captain’s desk a serviceable “Colt,” 
with plenty of ammunition, but looked in vain for more. 

Evidently this was the extent of the ship’s stores in the 
way of weapons (if one excepted the old cannon spoken 
of by the steward), and hastily placing these articles in 
his pockets, Ben turned to retrace his steps. 

He was met at the door of the room by Miss Dunham, 
who, while not appearing absolutely frightened, wore an 
expression of anxiety which was very apparent to the 
young man. 

“ Eliphalet has told you something which causes you to 
think there may be danger,” she said. “ It would be 
unkind to leave me in ignorance, more especially since 
you know, from what has already occurred, that I may be 
depended upon to at least control my feelings during a 
time of peril. Now, captain, will you please tell me why 
you came so suddenly for father’s revolver ? ” 

The last question was spoken in an imploring tone. 
The young girl had laid her hand coaxingly on Ben’s 
arm, and his susceptible heart was not proof against 
her pleading. 

Hastily turning the matter in his mind, he concluded 
that it might be better to inform her of all the steward 
had told him, save, perhaps, with the exception of the 
alleged ghosts, and replied in such a frank tone that she 
could have no question as to the truth of the words. 


56 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I don’t fancy there is any danger at all, and yet I am 
making preparations in case there should be,” Ben said. 
“ The steward tells me he has noticed several sampans 
hanging around the brig since the sailors deserted, and 
now there are a number on the shore evidently ready to 
put out. It would not be surprising if the natives should 
make an attempt to capture the brig, knowing her defence- 
less condition ; but I assure you, Miss Dunham, there is 
no possibility of their succeeding. That, positively, is the 
only reason why I came for your father’s weapons, and 
perhaps I have done wrong in telling you what may simply 
be an old darkey’s foolish ideas.” 

“You have told me nothing I did not know before,” the 
young girl replied, with no show of fear. “ I also have 
noticed the native boats evidently bent on reconnoitering, 
and have fancied there might be such an attempt as you 
speak of, made. Do you think it will be possible for three 
of us to prevent the capture of the brig, if the enemy 
should come in large numbers, as would probably be the 
case ? ” 

“You say ‘three.’ Surely you don’t suppose I shall 
allow you to take a hand in such work,” Ben replied, with 
some surprise. 

“It would be difficult to prevent it, sir, if an attack was 
made. You will find that I shall be quite as effective a 
member of the crew as old Eliphalet, and, perhaps, not 
disposed to show the white feather so quickly.” 

“ I have no doubt of that,” Ben replied ; “ but at the 
same time you must understand I most emphatically for- 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 57 

bid your leaving the cabin in case there should be any 
disturbance on deck.” 

“ There will be ample opportunity for us to speak of 
that,” the young girl replied, with a smile that went 
straight to Ben’s heart, and caused him to fancy, just a{ 
the moment, that in her defence he would be a match for 
any twenty natives who might attempt to board the brig. 

“ Did the steward tell you there was a* cannon in the 
fore-peak ? ” Miss Dunham asked. 

“ Yes ; but he spoke of it as something which was worth- 
less, and if that is the case it might be as dangerous to us 
as the enemy.” 

“ It probably looks worthless because it has been un- 
cared for ; but father purchased it with the belief that it 
was a serviceable weapon, and the ammunition intended 
for it is now in the lazaret.” 

“ I ’ll get it on deck, in that case,” and Ben left the 
cabin hurriedly, for he was now convinced of the evil 
intent of the natives, since Miss Dunham herself had noted 
their espionage of the craft. 

When he gained the deck once more, old Eliphalet was 
standing by the rail, watching intently the movements of 
those on the shore, and he asked : 

“ Anything new, uncle ? ” 

“ Deys er gittin’ more ob dem dish - pans ’roun’ de 
shore. I’se bin countin’ four des behin’ dat ar* pint.” 

“ We’ll look after the rascals with a glass, presently. 
Just now I want that cannon out. Show me where it is.” 

The old darkey led the way to the fore - peak where 


58 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Ben found a serviceable -looking six -pounder mounted on 
a light carriage. 

It was not a convenient article for two people to handle ; 
but in a comparatively short space of time the weapon 
was gotten on deck, and the young captain went toward 
the cabin once more for the purpose of procuring ammu- 
nition. 

“ I could do,that much without assistance,” Miss Dun- 
ham said, when he entered, as she pointed to a small keg 
of powder, and several bags of grape-shot which had been 
placed in the corner of the saloon near the companion- 
way. 

“ Did you bring those here ? ” Ben asked, in surprise. 

“ Certainly ; I wanted to convince you I could be of 
some service, and, besides, I knew exactly where they had 
been left.” 

“ But you went into the lazaret with a light ? ” 

“Yes, sir. It was what you would have been obliged 
to do, and there could be no more danger for me than any 
one else.” 

“But there was,” Ben replied, quite emphatically, “and 
I can’t allow you to take such risks.” 

“ And I can’t afford to sit still while you are working. 
No one can say how much time we may have at our dis- 
posal, and, when every moment is precious, the third 
member of the crew should do her full share.” 

Ben looked at her admiringly a few seconds, and then 
said, half to himself, as he stooped to raise the keg of 
powder : 


ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 


59 


“ I do n’t wonder your father brought you to sea with 
him. A woman like you is worth a dozen of some men 
such as I know.” 

“Thank you, sir,” the young girl replied, laughingly. 
“ I hope before many days you will have even a better 
impression of me.” 

“That would not be possible,” Ben said, gallantly, and 
then he went on deck to make ready what might be an 
instrument of destruction, as well for those who handled 
it, as the enemy toward whom it should be directed. 


CHAPTER V. 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 

“ TT looks as if my plans were being nipped in the bud 
before I ’ve even had time to make a beginning,” Ben 
muttered to himself, as he charged the six - pounder with 
as much powder as he fancied was consistent with safety, 
and added a generous supply of grape-shot. “ Instead of 
getting a crew from the shore, I am forced to make ready 
for defence against the same fellows whom I thought 
could be hired, and the question is, how, after this scrim- 
mage is over, if one comes, I am to pick up men enough 
to handle the brig. However, as the lobster said to the 
cook when she popped him into the hot water, we won’t 
let that trouble us just yet. v If I can train this gun 
right, we ’ll play hob with some of their sampans, and 
make the yellow rascals sick of trying to steal a vessel.” 

Eliphalet had watched the loading of the cannon 
intently, and, when the task was finally accomplished, 
asked : 

“ Is yer gwine fur to shoot right at ’em ef dey comes 
’roun’, sah ? ” 

“ I allow that ’s what we ’ll do, uncle, I count on 
lessening the inhabitants of that island by a good round 
dozen, if they try any funny business with us.” 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 


6 1 


“Ef dem yeller scoun’rels surroun’ us fore an’ aft, 
wha ’s we gwine fur to be when de gun am shot off ? ” 

“ We ’ll get some service out of the old piece, and trust 
to luck for disabling as many of the craft as possible. 
After that, uncle, it ’s a question of our handling 
revolvers mighty lively.” 

It was evident the steward had very little faith in the 
six -pounder, and, from his uneasy movements when the 
young captain suggested his being called upon to use a 
revolver, he possibly doubted his own ability to make 
much of a defence. 

The cannon had been placed on the quarter-deck, and 
it was there Ben proposed to marshal his little force. 

Any attempt to prevent the brig being boarded, in case 
the natives should make a simultaneous attack from every 
side, would be useless with the small number of defenders, 
therefore the young captain had decided that if a struggle 
should ensue he must be prepared to meet it on the 
quarter-deck. 

The companionway would serve as a convenient place 
for Miss Dunham to remain, if she insisted on taking 
part in the battle, for there Ben could force her to be 
partially sheltered, and on the stairs was laid the ammu- 
nition, where it would be most readily gotten at. 

As a matter of course, Ben had no desire for a pitched 
battle, and even while making these preparations for 
defence, he was trying to decide how it might be 
avoided. 

To land now in search of sailors would be the height 


62 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


of imprudence, and yet, in case the natives were meditat- 
ing an attack, the only certain means of preventing it 
was by immediate departure. 

If he had had one other white man with him, Ben 
would then and there have attempted to take the brig 
into port without a crew, hazardous as such a course 
might be ; but Eliphalet’s age and general appearance 
suggested that he would not prove a very able or trust- 
worthy seaman. 

“ If those fellows don’t make a break between now 
and to-morrow morning, I stand some chance of hailing a 
sampan that I can send on shore in search of men,” Ben 
said to himself ; but with this came the idea that, by so 
doing, he might only be allowing the evil - disposed inhab - 
itants of the island a better opportunity to take possession 
of the brig. 

In the meantime, the number of boats on the shore 
was increased as if by magic. 

That they came from opposite points of the island the 
watchers knew very well, yet it was seldom they were 
able to detect the arrivals until the craft itself was 
partially hauled up on the bank. 

It was some time before Ben could understand the 
meaning of this strange state of affairs, and then he saw 
one of the sampans being brought out from among the 
foliage by two men. 

“The rascals paddle up to that wooded point, then 
land to bring their boats across so we sha’ n’t get a glimpse 
of them,” he said, believing he was alone ; but, when the 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 63 

words had been spoken, a clear voice, without the slightest 
evidence of tremor in it, said : 

“They seem to be gathering in considerable force, • 
captain, and I fancy it won’t be a great while now before 
you will have good proof of what their intentions are.” 

Turning quickly, Ben saw Miss Dunham, who, with her 
own marine glass at her eyes, was scrutinising the shore 
of the island, and must have been in that position several 
moments while he was unaware of her presence. 

There was now no reason why he should attempt to 
disguise the true position of affairs, for she could see 
quite as much as he ; therefore he replied, gazing 
seaward : 

“ If there was a breath of air stirring, I ’d up anchor 
and let the old hooker work off the shore, for our chances 
of getting a crew at sea appear to be better than finding 
one on this piece of land.” 

“Judging from the general appearance of things on 
shore now, I should say that we would soon receive a 
visit from those fellows.” 

“Yes,” Ben replied with a sigh, which escaped his lips 
involuntarily. “ They ’ll take precious good care to come 
before there’s an opportunity for us to leave our anchor- 
age.” Then, bringing his hand down on the breech of the 
gun with a resounding slap, “ Now I know the meaning of 
that visit to my boatmen ! ” and he told the young lady of 
the one incident which occurred during the voyage from 
Hong Kong. 

“ Then you think the men who came off from the island 


6 4 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


knew that the attack was to be made on the brig ? ” Miss 
Dunham asked. 

“I am positive of it. The scoundrels, seeing a white 
man, probably fancied the Hong Kong craft was heading 
for the Progressive Age , and came out to learn if such was 
the case. The chances are considerably more than even 
that the very men who brought me here are on shore, 
waiting to assist in the attack.” 

The conversation was interrupted at this point by Uncle 
Eliphalet, who had been forward attending to some work 
in his own department, and now came aft in a most pitiable 
condition of fear. His black face was of an ashen gray 
hue, and his eyeballs rolled to and fro in their sockets, 
as if he no longer had any control over them. 

“ What’s up ? What’s up now ? ” Ben cried cheerily, 
understanding that Miss Dunham must hear that which 
the old darkey had to relate, since she had seen the 
exhibition of terror. 

“ Bress de Lawd, cap’n ! Bress de Lawd, chile ! De 
ghostes hab cum wuss ’n eber.” 

One quick glance at Miss Dunham showed that the 
steward’s appearance, if not his words, had caused her 
alarm, and Ben understood that it was necessary to check, 
if possible, the old darkey’s propensity for seeing super- 
natural beings. 

“ Now hold your tongue, and get forward ! This is no 
time to be talking about ghosts, even if such things ever 
existed ! Look ashore, and you ’ll see what may cause us 
more trouble than a whole cargo of spirits ever could.” 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 65 

“ But, sah, dey’s in de fo’peak ! I’s done gone heerd 
’em, sah ! De debbil mus’ be on dis yere craf ! ” 

“ It won’t take me long to persuade you that he is, and 
has gotten hold of you,” Ben said, angrily. “ If you can’t 
do anything better than to run around getting frightened, 
go into the galley and stay there.” 

“But I done heerd ’em talkin’, sah, an’ dem ghostes 
soun’s des like dese yere yaller fellers.” 

“ Now see here, uncle, will you get away and hold your 
tongue about such things, or shall I have to fire you bodily 
forward where you belong ? ” 

Ben displayed so much anger the old man evidently 
thought that, between the enraged captain and the ghosts, 
the latter would be likely to do him the least injury, there- 
fore he obeyed ; but in a very unwilling manner, shaking 
his head gravely as he muttered something about the way 
in which the alleged ghosts could be heard talking. 

“ I hope you ’re not frightened by what that foolish old 
darkey has told,” Ben said, as he turned and faced the 
young girl. “ Of course both you and I know how ridicu- 
lous such yarns are, and yet there is no place where one 
can hear as many as on shipboard.” 

“It is not that I am at all afraid of old Eliphalet’s 
ghosts,” Miss Dunham replied, readily; “but I am begin- 
ning to think he really did hear them.” 

“ Do you believe in such things ? ” Ben asked, in 
surprise. 

“ I believe it is possible that he really heard people talk- 
ing in the forepeak, and think the matter should be in- 


66 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


vestigated at once. You must remember, captain, that 
we have been lying here several days with no watch kept 
at night. What an easy matter it would have been for 
some of these Chinese to come aboard after dark, and 
secrete themselves, ready to join their friends when the 
attack is made.” 

“ What a thick-headed idiot I ’ve been, to be sure, not 
to think of such a thing ! ” Ben exclaimed. “ Any one but 
a blockhead like me would have searched every portion of 
the brig before settling down to watch for enemies from 
the shore. Will you stay here on guard, giving an alarm 
at the slightest suspicious movement you see, while I go 
below ? ” 

“You don’t intend to venture there alone, captain?” 
and the young girl laid one slender hand on Ben’s arm to 
prevent him from leaving her so quickly. 

“ There is n’t the slightest danger, no matter how many 
may be there, for at the sight of a revolver every yellow 
rascal will go down on his knees. The only fear they 
may do a person an injury is when they can slip up in the 
night and put a knife in his back.” 

“ Yet you believe they are brave enough to attack this 
ship in the daytime,” Miss Dunham said, as she pointed 
significantly toward the shore. 

“ They are made bold by the knowledge that there are 
only three on board, while they can probably muster fifty 
or a hundred. It is in the highest degree important that 
we know whether there is any one below or not, therefore 
we must not waste time. Keep your weather-eye lifting 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 


67 


on those sampans, and discharge one chamber of the 
revolver in case you want to summon me to the deck 
quickly.” 

Then, before she could make any further protest, Ben, 
with a weapon in his hand, went hurriedly forward, stop- 
ping at the galley only long enough to call Uncle Eliphalet, 
as he said : 

“ Light a lantern, and come into the forepeak with me.” 

“ Bress de Lawd, cap’n, sah, is you gwine fur ter snoop 
down on dem yere ghostes ? Don’ do it, sah, don’ do 
it!” 

“ Hold your tongue, and do as I tell you ! ” Then, 
noting the fact that the old fellow was in such a condition 
of abject terror as to render him almost useless as an as- 
sistant, Ben added in a more friendly tone, “ There are no 
ghosts here, uncle ; but Miss Dunham and I have an idea 
some of those yellow scoundrels may have come on board, 
and are in hiding, ready to slip out on us when their 
friends give the signal. Now look alive with that lantern, 
for we may not have many minutes left in which to clear 
the rats out of this craft.” 

Uncle Eliphalet was more willing to face any number 
of live Chinamen, although he was by no means what 
would be called a brave darkey, than to venture where the 
slightest suspicion of a ghost might be entertained, and 
at once began to display considerable alacrity in obeying 
the captain’s command. 

After he had lighted the lantern, Eliphalet seized two 
of the well-sharpened knives, although how he could have 


68 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


expected to use both in case any weapon should be neces- 
sary, while he was forced to carry the lamp in one hand, 
it is difficult to say, and then stepped out of the galley 
as a signal that he was ready to accompany the young 
captain on what might prove to be a decidedly perilous 
errand. 

Ben gave one quick glance toward the shore to satisfy 
himself there had been no change in the general arrange- 
ment of the sampans, and then, warning Eliphalet that he 
must remain close in the rear in order that the tiny flame 
should be given the best possible opportunity for dispel- 
ling the darkness, he descended through the fore hatch- 
way. 

At this point the old darkey’s courage failed him en- 
tirely, and, instead of following agreeably to the instruc- 
tions given, he leaned over the combing, and lowered the 
lantern into the well-like apartment ; but without trusting 
his precious body below the deck. 

Not a sound could be heard. 

The silence was as that of the grave, and the darkness 
so intense that the tiny yellow flame only served to ren- 
der it almost palpable. 

“ Come out here and show yourselves, or you ’ll stand a 
good chance of getting a few bullets in your heads ! ” Ben 
cried, standing with his back against a stanchion in order 
to protect himself from an attack in the rear, and trying 
in vain to pierce the gloom with his eyes. 

There was no response, and but for the fact that Miss 
Dunham had been so impressed with the idea that one or 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 69 

more natives were secreted on board, Ben would have 
said the forepeak was tenantless. 

“ Stand steady there, Eliphalet, and hold the lantern 
as low as you can. I ’m going to shoot at random once 
or twice, and see what I can bring out.” 

As he spoke, Ben discharged two chambers of his re- 
volver in rapid succession. 

Before the sound of the reports had fairly died away 
there was a scream of terror, a scrambling of footsteps, 
and three half - naked, villainous - looking Chinamen were 
facing him, brandishing their knives fiercely, and dancing 
to and fro to prevent him from taking accurate aim. 

“ Stand by with that lantern ! ” Ben shouted, and, at 
the same instant darting forward quickly, dealt one of the 
intruders a left - handed blow, which brought him to the 
deck half stunned. 

Terrified though old Eliphalet was, he managed to hold 
the lantern in such a manner that the young captain could 
keep his adversaries in view, and at the muzzle of the 
revolver he forced them to stand by the side of their 
prostrate companion. 

“ Now throw down those knives ! ” he shouted. 

It is doubtful if the men fully understood the words ; 
but the gesture which he made was sufficiently expressive, 
and in an instant the weapons dropped to the deck, Ben 
crying to the steward : 

“ Lower the lantern, and get into the carpenter’s room 
for some pieces of ratline stuff ! Don’t let the grass grow 
under your feet ! We ’ve got no time to waste here ! ” 


70 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Old Eliphalet obeyed, so far as dropping the lantern 
was concerned ; but, before he could procure the neces- 
ary material for binding the prisoners, Miss Dunham 
was bending over the hatchway. 

“ How many ghosts did you find ? ” she asked, trying in 
vain to peer into the gloom. 

“ Three, and I ’ll send the lot on deck as soon as I can 
trice them up a bit.” 

“Why not pass them up to me? You can fetter them 
better where it is light, and I ’ll answer for it they don’t 
escape me while you are clambering out.” 

Ben hesitated an instant, as if fearing to expose her to 
possible danger, and then, realising that he would be at a 
decided disadvantage in case they should make an attempt 
at overpowering him while in that dark place, cried 
cheerily : 

“Keep your eye on them sharp, and don’t hesitate to 
shoot if they make a motion toward going over the 
rail.” 

Then, using his weapon as a means of emphasizing, and 
at the same time explaining his command, he ordered 
them to ascend the rude ladder. 

Probably thinking they were to be allowed to escape, 
the men hurriedly obeyed, only to be confronted by a 
small, but decidedly resolute looking girl, who appeared 
able to do as much execution with her revolver as the 
captain could do with his. 

By the time the three were on the deck and Ben had 
followed them, Eliphalet had returned with the ratline 



“ A SMALL, BUT DECIDEDLY RESOLUTE LOOKING GIRL 






































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DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 


7 


stuff, and the work of making them close prisoners was 
speedily finished. 

Triced up with their backs to the main rigging on the 
port side, they would afford the little crew no slight 
protection in case there was any attempt made to board 
the craft, and this Ben 'counted on when he placed them 
in that position. 

“ I only wish we had a few more of them,” he said, 
grimly, when the last man was secured beyond all possi- 
bility of freeing himself from his bonds, unaided ; “ for I 
reckon those fellows on shore would n’t care about cutting 
their way through members of their own gang, and we 
should stand a chance of making them come to terms 
without much fighting. Uncle, you’d better search those 
rascals, and see if they have got any more weapons. Then, 
as soon as you can get it ready, we ’ll have something to 
eat, for I reckon there won’t be much chance to do 
cooking later in the afternoon.” 

Knowing that the prisoners could work him no harm, 
Uncle Eliphalet proceeded to make a minute examination 
of their clothing without delay ; but his labour was in 
vain, so far as finding any weapons was concerned. 

The knives which had been taken from them in the 
forepeak were all they had, and it was more than likely 
they were not able to bring others, owing to the fact of 
their having probably swam from the shore to the brig. 

While the old darkey was making ready the food which 
Ben had ordered to be served on the quarter-deck, Miss 
Dunham was busily engaged arranging the ammunition 


72 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


and spare weapons, such as two cutlasses, and one of the 
steward’s knives, on the companion way steps where they 
could be reached with the least difficulty, and the young 
captain paced to and fro as if trying to decide some 
weighty question. 

Not a breath of air had been stirring during the day ; 
but now, as the night approached, a light breeze, coming 
from the direction of the island, rippled the glassy waters, 
and again did Ben think it might not only be possible, but 
advisable, to leave the dangerous anchorage. 

“ Can you steer ? ” he asked suddenly, turning toward 
the young girl, who was leaning over the edge of the 
companionway, scanning the island through the glass. 

“ Oh, yes, indeed ! I don’t know that I should be very 
successful at it in heavy weather ; but, under ordinary 
circumstances, I can handle the wheel.” 

“ Then I ’ll try it,” he said, half to himself. 

“Try what?” Miss Dunham asked, curiously. 

“ The scheme of getting under way before those 
fellows can come down on us in such numbers that we 
shall be literally overwhelmed.” 

“ But I don’t think you should count on any assistance 
from the steward. He is so old and timid that I question 
if you would be able to get him aloft.” 

“ I sha’n’t attempt it. We have three able-bodied men 
here, and it seems a clear waste of raw material not to 
make them earn their grub.” 

“ Are you thinking of trying to persuade those China- 
men to help you ? ” 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 


73 


“No, I shall force them to do as I say, and I reckon, 
with the muzzle of a revolver at their heads, they ’ll pull 
and haul as much as will be needed, unless the weather 
should change suddenly. The only possible trouble is 
that I may not be able to make them understand.” 

Miss Dunham shook her head doubtfully, as if thinking 
this new scheme of the young captain’s was not only 
impracticable, but dangerous. 

Fortunately, Ben did not see the gesture, which was 
so expressive, otherwise he might have been tempted 
to reconsider his determination, for he was beginning to 
place considerable confidence in the young woman’s 
opinion. 

The scheme seemed so feasible to him, and the neces- 
sity of getting away from that locality at the earliest 
possible opportunity so great, that he paid no attention 
just at that moment to anything around him, save as it 
was connected with the plan he had in mind. 

In furtherance of it, while Miss Dunham stood looking 
around her as if having become convinced the consignees 
of the brig had made a mistake in sending so young a 
captain, Ben approached the prisoners. 

He began to carry his scheme into execution by stating 
rapidly, and apparently regardless of whether they under- 
stood him or not, exactly what he proposed to do, promis- 
ing in the most expressive tone, with the flourish of the 
revolver by way of emphasis, that he should not hesitate 
to shoot one or the three at the first attempt to escape, or 
a refusal to obey orders. 


74 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ If you do not understand all my words,” he said, in 
conclusion, “I am satisfied you have a pretty good general 
idea of what I mean ; therefore I shall not hesitate to do 
exactly as I have said.” 

The. prisoners looked at him impassively, as if wholly 
at a loss to know what he had been talking about, and 
yet, from a certain twinkle in the eyes of one, he felt 
quite confident this particular fellow could, if he were so 
disposed, speak English as well as the majority of his 
countrymen in that vicinity. 

Therefore he walked aft, leaving them alone to discuss 
the matter among themselves, as he said, with a cautionary 
flourish of the weapon : 

“ You ’d better make up your minds to understand me, 
or else there ’ll be a considerable amount of shooting 
going on here, which won’t be at all pleasant.” 

That they did know, or at least one of them did, what 
he had said, seemed evident from the fact that, as soon as 
he was near the companion way once more, the three 
began talking earnestly among themselves, and Ben said 
to the young girl, who had been watching him curi- 
ously : 

“ I fancy we shall make a go out of this thing. At all 
events it is a scheme worth trying, for the chances are 
decidedly against us if we stay here until those fellows 
ashore' can muster in sufficient force to take the brig by 
sheer press of numbers.” 

Miss Dunham made no reply to this remark, and Ben 
understood from her silence that she was not at all in 


DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 


7 5 


favour of such an attempt ; but unable to see any other 
way of escape from what seemed to be a very serious 
affair, he determined to carry out the plan, so far as 
should be possible, trusting to the chapter of accident 
and chance to bring the matter through successfully. 


CHAPTER VI. 


AN UNWILLING CREW, 



HE time which Ben thus occupied in maturing his 


•*- plans had been utilised by the steward in preparing 
the afternoon meal, and he now began to bring it aft, 
placing it, according to the young girl’s directions, on the 
top of the house, without any pretensions to elegance in 
the manner of serving it. 

Cold boiled beef, ship’s biscuit, hot tea, and pickles 
made up the entire bill of fare ; not a very much better 
meal than would have been served in the forecastle of the 
Sportsman , and Ben asked in surprise : 

“ Is it possible the stores are down as low as this, 
steward? Haven’t you got any little delicacy for Miss 
Dunham ? ” 

“ She doesn’t need any,” the young girl said, quickly, 
“ and could not have it if she did. The stock of flour is 
so low we cannot afford hot biscuit, except as a luxury, 
and, after having put up with such fare as this so many 
days, I guess it won’t be a serious matter if I do not 
have anything different until we reach port.” 

“ Which we shall do, please God, very soon, providing 
we can get away before those fellows on shore have com- 
pleted their preparations,” Ben replied ; and then, as if 


76 


AN UNWILLING CREW. 


77 


this was a sort of grace before meat, he made a vigourous 
onslaught upon the scanty store of food, after seeing that 
Miss Dunham was served. 

It was destined that even this poor supper should not 
be concluded without interruption. 

Before Ben had appeased his hunger an unusual number 
of men could be seen gathering in the vicinity of the 
sampans, and the young captain rightly conjectured the 
time had come for the inhabitants of the island to make 
their descent upon the brig. 

“ Keep your eye on those fellows ashore, and tell me 
everything they do ! ” Ben cried, as he ran hastily forward 
to where the prisoners were, unloosing the one whom he 
believed could speak English, and another, leaving the 
third still tied to the rigging. “ Here, Eliphalet, get 
forward with me to the capstan!” he shouted to the old 
darkey, the blackness of whose face was rapidly changing 
to an ashen hue. “I reckon time is short with us now.” 

With his revolver held ready for instant use, and dis- 
playing it ostentatiously to the prisoners, he motioned 
them forward, saying, at the same time : 

“ Get on to that capstan the best you know how, or 
you won’t be likely to see your brother scoundrels again 
in this world ! ” 

There was every reason why the men should understand 
what he meant by his gestures, knowing as they did in 
what desperate straits the few defenders of the brig 
would soon be placed in case the attack was made, and 
they obeyed with apparent willingness, the pawls clicking 


78 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


merrily in the ratchets as they ran the drum around, Ben 
assisting with a bar, while holding his weapon in one hand, 
as Eliphalet, in a feeble sort of way, attempted to draw 
the slack cable into shape. 

In the still air the clinking of the metal must have 
been heard distinctly on shore, and Miss Dunham, from 
her point of vantage, shouted : 

“ They are coming out from among the foliage in 
greater numbers now, and it looks as if they were 
getting ready to put off.” 

By this time the anchor was clear of the bottom, and 
after two or three fathoms more of the chain had been 
brought inboard, Ben ordered his unwilling crew into the 
fore - rigging, accelerating their movements decidedly by 
the flourish of his revolver, as he cried : 

“ Loose the foretopsail, and do it lively there ! Let me 
catch you skulking for a single moment, or making any 
motion to those fellows on shore, and I ’ll send something 
after you that won’t be pleasant. Get hold of the jib 
halliards, Eliphalet, and lay down on them the best you 
know how ! ” 

The Chinamen clambered up the rigging with the same 
celerity of movement they had shown in going forward, 
and Ben laid hold of the halliards, swaying down on the 
ropes as he kept his eyes fixed on the prisoners, Eliph- 
alet adding his feeble strength to the work. 

It was not to be expected the two could hoist the heavy 
canvas into position, for the steward was not much bet- 
ter than a boy at such work ; but sufficient of the sail was 


AN UNWILLING CREW. 


79 


raised to catch the light breeze which bellied it seaward 
in a manner that delighted Ben, and told him the little 
brig would soon be drawing as rapidly away from the land 
as he had hoped. 

“ We ’ll belay there, uncle, until our friends come down. 
Get over to the capstan once more ; I think I ’ll let the 
third Chinaman loose.” 

“ Three of the sampans have put off already ! ” Miss 
Dunham cried ; “ there must be at least fifty men on the 
beach.” 

“ If they allow us ten minutes more I don’t care how 
many come,” Ben shouted cheerily, and ran amidships to 
unfasten the last prisoner, who was very careful to obey 
the mute command to go forward, which was given with 
the muzzle of the revolver. 

It was necessarily slow work for those aloft, but they 
were moving as rapidly as could have been expected, even 
faster than the young captain had fancied would be the 
case, and while they were at their work the anchor was 
hove up half a dozen fathoms more, after which the three 
hoisted the jib to somewhere near the proper position. 

By the time this last task was completed, those above 
had finished all they could do, and were ordered on deck 
again. 

Then the five manned the mainsail halliards, and in a 
very few moments after the huge square of canvas had 
been loosened to the breeze the brig began moving 
through the water, slowly to be sure, but yet with suffi- 
cient speed to show the anxious ones it was only a ques- 


So 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


tion of time before she would be at a safe distance from 
the inhospitable island. 

“Now I reckon we can give our undivided attention to 
our yellow friends who propose to pay us a visit ! ’ ’ Ben 
said in a triumphant tone to the young girl, after ordering 
his prisoners to their stations at the main rigging, and 
threatening them with the direst vengeance if they should 
make any attempt at going over the rail. 

“ I did think you were unwise in trying to get the brig 
under sail with those three fellows,” Miss Dunham said, 
as Ben stood for one brief instant by her side ; “ but I 
must admit you were right. If we were still at anchor 
that crowd of villains would necessarily make short work 
of us after the first discharge of the cannon, and she 
pointed to the fleet of sampans which was being paddled 
onward at full speed. 

There could be no mistake as to the intentions of the 
newcomers ; there were at least fifty men, each armed 
with murderous - looking knives and hatchets, and not a 
few carrying muskets, all shouting at the full strength of 
their lungs to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals, 
as if they expected to accomplish quite as much by noise 
as by force of arms. 

“ Are you going to leave those prisoners at liberty ? ” 
Miss Dunham asked, as Ben stood looking at the howling 
enemy, and wondering whether it would not be best to 
open fire on them at once. 

“ I reckon we may as well. It won’t pay to trice them 
up again, for it is possible they may be needed to handle 


AN UNWILLING CREW. 


81 


the ship. If they get away it will be the worse for us ; 
but I count on their being too much afraid of our revolv- 
ers to attempt anything of the kind.” 

“ Shall I take the wheel now ? ” 

“Yes, although she has hardly got steerage -way on. 
Simply hold her steady. I believe I ’ll have one shot at 
those fellows while they are at long range. Where did 
Eliphalet go ? ” 

“ I saw him dive into the galley as soon as the pirates 
began to yell,” the young lady replied with a merry laugh, 
which did more toward nerving Ben for the inevitable 
struggle than words could have done, for it showed that 
she at least could so far conquer her fears as to appreci- 
ate anything which appealed to her as being comical. 

The enemy were not more than three hundred yards 
away when Ben trained his ancient cannon carefully, and 
said to the young girl who was now standing at the helm : 

“ You had better go below a moment ; there ’s no know- 
ing what may happen when the thing is discharged.” 

“ I belong here if I ’m to be the helmsman, and here I 
propose to stay, no matter what the captain may say.” 

“ Well, I like your pluck, but I can’t say very much for 
your prudence,” Ben replied, grimly, and then the piece 
was discharged, the three prisoners watching quite as 
eagerly the effect of the shot as did their captors. 

The first discharge was an unqualified success. 

A shower of grape-shot went hurtling into the foremost 
of the frail sampans, sinking two instantly, and shattering 
three to such a degree that their crew were forced to seek 


82 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


safety on other boats, thus retarding the advance of the 
pirates very materially. 

“Hurrah for our side!” Ben shouted, gleefully. “If 
we can give them one more dose like that I reckon they 
won’t be so anxious to come alongside ; ” and he began 
reloading with the utmost rapidity. Miss Dunham leaving 
the helm long enough to bring him a supply of ammuni- 
tion from the companionway as he finished swabbing out 
the cannon. 

A scattering fire of musketry was opened upon the 
brig ; but the flint-lock guns were not in proper working 
order, nor were the yellow fellows remarkable for their 
good marksmanship, consequently such of the bullets as 
did not strike the water in the immediate vicinity of where 
the weapons were discharged flew harmlessly among the 
rigging, as if aimed at the sun. 

Now the din of the drums and cymbals had ceased ; the 
shouts of fury with which the yellow pirates had tried to 
animate their courage were changed to shrieks of pain and 
terror ; but that portion of the fleet which remained unin- 
jured continued on with redoubled speed, understanding 
full well that once they gained the deck the brig would be 
theirs. 

Ben was not an expert gunner, even though his first 
attempt was so successful, and fully twice as many minutes 
were occupied in charging the piece as would have been 
required by any one familiar with such work. 

There were yet a sufficient number of pirates dashing 
onward to overwhelm the young captain and his “mate,” 


AN UNWILLING CREW. 


83 


however valiantly they might fight, and it seemed as if 
they were close aboard when Ben discharged the piece 
the second time. 

On this occasion the aim was no less true than before. 

The sampans were coming in a cluster, and the grape- 
shot, of which there was a plentiful supply, worked an 
almost incredible amount of execution ; but yet the victory 
was far from being won. 

Half a dozen craft were sent to the bottom, as many 
more shattered into uselessness ; a score of men were 
struggling in the water, but yet at least ten sampans con- 
tinued to advance, and before the cannon could be reloaded 
would have gained the shelter of the brig’s bow. 

His brief efforts and skilful plans would be of no avail, 
if once the men gained a foothold on the deck, and this 
Ben understood thoroughly. 

“ Stay where you are, and shoot if a head shows above 
the rail ! ” he cried hurriedly to the young girl. “ See to 
it that the sails are kept drawing.” 

Then he rushed forward, motioning the prisoners to go 
in advance of him, which they did without protest because 
of his weapon, and, as they passed the galley, he shouted 
for Eliphalet to follow. 

The forward hatch' was yet off, and he forced his cap- 
tives below in the shortest space of time, fastening them 
securely in just as the occupants of the foremost sampan 
were clutching at the cable, intending to draw themselves 
up by this means. 

Three well-directed shots from his revolver served to 


8 4 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


check the men in this particular craft, and render them 
incapable of any further mischief ; but while this was being 
done two other boats had made fast alongside, and Ben 
turned to meet the new danger just as the pirates were 
appearing in several places at the same moment. 

Twice had Miss Dunham fired, once with effect, and 
Ben was attacking a sampan - load of the enemy with a 
capstan -bar, not having had time to reload his weapon, 
when old Eliphalet emerged from the galley with a dish- 
pan full of glowing coals. 

The steward looked as thoroughly frightened as a man 
well can ; but, despite his terror, managed to do a marvel- 
lous amount of execution in a short time. 

. He emptied half a bushel of glowing anthracite directly 
into one of the boats, causing the occupants to leap over- 
board with cries of pain. 

“ Good for you, old man ! ” Ben shouted, striking down 
a Chinaman who had succeeded in gaining a hold on the 
forerigging. “Try that game once more, and you’ll be 
doing your full share of the work.” 

“ Bress de Lawd ! Bress de Lawd ! I ’se sendin’ ’em 
up de golden stairs,” Eliphalet cried in a singsong tone ; 
but it is extremely doubtful if he knew what he was say- 
ing, for, despite the fact that he assilted materially in the 
defence, he was yet so terrified as to be almost frantic. 

The range in the galley had been emptied of its con- 
tents by this first discharge, and the old darkey seized 
anything of a heavy nature which came within reach. 

As the sampans advanced he showered iron belaying- 



r M 


“BEN WAS ATTACKING A SAMPAN -LOAD OF THE ENEMY 























































AN UNWILLING CREW. 


85 


pins, heavy pots and pans, spare blocks, and even his 
precious carving-knives upon the heads of the men, and 
more than one of the frail craft went to the bottom under 
this miscellaneous assortment of ammunition. 

How long this engagement lasted Ben had no idea, and 
even Miss Dunham would be unable to state with any 
degree of accuracy. 

The defenders of the brig were working so desperately 
and rapidly as to take no heed of the passage of time, but 
probably the hot fight did not last more than a quarter of 
an hour, yet in these few moments the wind had increased 
until the brig was showing quite a “ bone in her teeth,” 
as she slipped through the water more rapidly than the 
disheartened Chinamen could paddle their sampans. 

The victory was complete, and when Ben, his face 
begrimed with powder and streaked with perspiration, 
came aft to fire a few parting shots at the last of the 
retreating enemy, Miss Dunham seized his hand regardless 
of her duties at the helm, as she said, earnestly : 

“ Forgive me for having thought even for a moment 
that you were too young and inexperienced to extricate 
us from the position in which we were left when the crew 
abandoned the brig. I was thoroughly opposed to your 
calling upon the prisoners for assistance, and yet if that 
had n’t been done we should now either be captives or 
dead.” 

“You don’t want to say anything about my forgiving 
you,” Ben replied, heartily, “for you could not be expected 
to have as much faith in me as you would in an older man, 


86 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


and there was a good deal of risk, anyway, in what I did. 
If the wind hadn’t sprung up, or the prisoners chanced 
to turn rusty and showed fight, in fact, if almost anything 
had happened to waste five minutes of time, the result 
might have been very different.” 

“But nothing did happen, and it was through your 
own unaided exertions that we can now say we are 
safe.” 

“ Not unaided by any manner of means, Miss Dunham, 
when I had such a mate as you at the wheel. I want it 
distinctly understood that if you had been a different 
kind of a young woman, one of those, for instance, who 
think it necessary to faint or scream when anything out 
of the ordinary course happens, matters would not be in 
as cheerful a condition as they are now.” 

“ I haven’t done anything but stand at the wheel.” 

“ If you had n’t been on board I should have been 
obliged to steer, so you counted as one man, and a great 
deal better you were than the majority of men ; that I 
can say without reasonable chance of contradiction.” 

“ If you are going to shower compliments so thickly, 
perhaps it will be just as well that we don’t talk about 
the battle. Do you have any objections to telling me 
what you propose to do now ? ” 

“ Certainly not. It is my intention to get this brig 
into Hong Kong.” 

“ Without any crew ? ” 

“You forget that I have three men in the fore- 
peak.” 


AN UNWILLING CREW. 


8 ; 


“ If you try to work the brig with no other assistance, 
it will be necessary for you to remain on deck night and 
day.” 

“ So it would in any event, no matter how many men I 
had taken from the shore. I would n’t have trusted them 
for a single moment. We must run a good many chances 
in a case like this, and no matter what happens in the 
way of weather, we cannot suffer more than to be blown 
out of our course, for with such canvas as is spread a 
gale might rage from now until next January, and not 
start a bolt -rope. Did you notice how Uncle Eliphalet 
flashed up in the last act ? ” 

‘‘Yes, but I don’t think he can be credited with dis- 
playing courage, for, in my opinion, he was like one in a 
dream ; his terror had so far gotten the best of him that 
he was really delirious.” 

“ Well, it ’s mighty lucky for us his delirium took the 
form it did, for he cleaned out no less than four sampans, 
to my positive knowledge. I wonder where he is now ? ” 
“ Probably hiding in the galley, as much afraid of 
himself as of the enemy he helped to disperse.” 

“ Can you stay here at the wheel a while longer ? ” 

“ I shall be on deck exactly as many hours as you are 
forced to remain, and there ’s no question but that I can 
steer while the wind is as light as it is now.” 

“You will go below as soon as I get things into shape, 
if the captain has any authority on board this brig.” 

“ He does n’t have much over his mate,” the young 
lady replied, laughingly. “ I will admit that you are the 


88 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


captain ; but I am the first officer, therefore it would be 
no use for you to order me below.” 

“ Well, if there ’s a craft afloat that ’s got a trimmer, 
more beautiful or a more insubordinate officer than the 
Progressive Age, I ’d like to see her as a curiosity,” Ben 
said, and there was a certain ring in his voice which 
caused the red blood to come into Miss Dunham’s face 
like a flood. 

“ I see you can pay a compliment quite as well as you 
can fight, captain,” she replied, half shyly, and then 
added quickly, “ Don’t you think it would be a good idea 
to cat the anchor, instead of leaving it as it is ? ” 

“ I declare I had forgotten all about that,” and Ben 
hurried forward, stopping a moment to look into the gal- 
ley, hailing Eliphalet, who was crouching in one corner 
behind the stove, trembling as if in an ague fit. 

“ Well, what ’s the matter with you, uncle ? It is n’t 
ten minutes since you were as bold as a turkey, and now 
that the scrimmage is over you must n’t give in like this.” 

“ Am it ober, sah ? ” the old man asked, as he cautiously 
drew out his head sufficiently to enable him to see the 
young captain. 

“Is what over ? ” 

“ De onpleasantness, sah. De fuss wid dem yeller 
scoun’rels ? ” 

“ Of course it is, and you did your duty like a man, 
even if you did n’t know it. Now stir yourself,^ and begin 
to dish up the grub once more, for we are heading for 
Hong Kong.” 



“‘AM DE HEATHENS ALL GONE OUTER DIS YERE SHIP?’” 























* 























AN UNWILLING CREW. 


89 


“ Am de heathens all gone outer dis yere ship ? ” and 
Eliphalet crawled from behind the stove, rising slowly to 
his feet as he asked the question. 

“ We ’ve got three stowed away for further use, and I 
reckon you ’ll have to fill them up with something eatable, 
for I am counting on carrying them into port.” 

“ Is I to cook fur sich cattle ? ” 

“You are, my venerable darkey, and you will be mighty 
lucky if you don’t have to do so for more than three, be- 
fore we reach the United States.” 

The old man looked as if he had received a severe blow, 
and then, realising that it would not do to make any oppo- 
sition to the captain’s orders, began hunting in a dazed 
sort of way for the knives he had thrown overboard. 

Ben’s crew came out of the forepeak very willingly, 
after being given an opportunity, and when he told them 
what he wished done there was no question but that his 
words were understood, even though he employed no 
gestures. 

The terrible punishment which they had seen inflicted 
upon their countrymen caused them to stand in awe of 
this young captain, and Ben felt quite positive he could 
count on their being submissive until the term of enforced 
service should come to an end. 

When the anchor had been catted he ordered them to 
the galley, as he said : 

“ I don’t know how long you ’ve been hiding on this 
craft ; but reckon by this time you ’re in reasonably good 
shape for grub. I ’ll have the steward fill you up, and I 


9 o 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


want you to remember this : During the remainder of the 
time you are aboard the brig you shall be treated well so 
long as you do your duty, and when we get to Hong Kong 
I will pay you the same wages as I would honest men ; 
but turn rusty ever so little, and I sha’ n’t hesitate to send 
you over the rail without a moment’s warning.” 

Neither of the men replied, and Ben was gratified by 
seeing that they looked thoroughly cowed, for he took it 
as proof that he would have no further trouble with them. 

By the time he returned to the galley Uncle Eliphalet 
had so far recovered from his terror as to be able to 
understand the general condition of affairs, and the order 
was given to supply the prisoners with plenty of beef, 
biscuit and tea. 

The old darkey looked reproachfully at the young cap- 
tain, and then angrily at the crew, as he said : 

“ I ’se ’bleeged ter chop out de beef wid a axe, kase dose 
yere yeller scoun’rels hab done gone stole de knives.” 

“ Why, I saw you throw them at those fellows in the 
sampans, uncle,” Ben cried, laughingly. 

“ Did I, sah ? Did I go fur to do eny sich fool bizness ? ” 

“You did for a fact, and there wasn’t very much fool- 
ishness about it at the time. It don’t make any difference 
how you get the beef into pieces so long as the men are 
fed ; so look alive, for we ’ll soon be wanting something to 
eat aft,” and then Ben rejoined his “mate” at the wheel. 


CHAPTER VII. 


IN COMMAND. 

\T OW it was that Ben had time to look about him, and 
^ ^ consider the situation. 

The indications were that the weather would hold fine, 
and the breeze, which was carrying the brig along at the 
rate of two or three knots an hour, could be depended 
upon until morning, therefore, so far as the safety of the 
vessel was concerned, the young captain had no cause for 
fear. 

Had there been a full crew on the Progressive Age , 
every inch of the canvas would have been spread to the 
breeze, and the short run to Hong Kong might have been 
made in twenty-four hours ; but instead of a dozen men, 
the young captain himself was the only one who could be 
relied upon implicitly. Old Eliphalet, save for his work 
in the galley, was of no value whatever, and whether the 
prisoners could be forced to do seamen’s duty yet re- 
mained to be seen. 

Probably an older man, who understood thoroughly all 
the difficulties which might be encountered, would have 
been disheartened ; but Ben, flushed with the success of 
having got the brig under way in time to escape from the 
pirates, and eager to win the first step toward a captain’s 


91 


92 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


commission, took no heed, save in a general way, of the 
future. It was sufficient for him that he had succeeded 
thus far in his attempt, and, sanguine now of accomplish- 
ing his purpose, he was in the best of spirits. 

“ I reckon we can count on making Hong Kong when- 
ever we feel so disposed,” Ben said, cheerily, as he ap- 
proached the wheel. “ We ’ll call it your watch below, 
now, and I ’ll take my trick at the helm.” 

“ But is n’t there anything to be done ?” Miss Dunham 
asked. 

“ Indeed there is. I could find a week’s employment 
for a dozen men and then not have the old hooker in 
decent shape ; but it ’s foolish to talk about that when 
we’ve only three yellow pirates and a frightened negro 
aboard, so we ’ll let things go as they are until we get into 
port. You are to take a little rest, now, for I fancy 
you need it.” 

“ Not so much as I am sure you must, for I had a long 
time of idleness while you were coming down in the 
sampan. It is my intention to stay where I am, unless 
the wind calls for stronger arms at the wheel.” 

“ But I can’t think of allowing you to stand here, more 
especially when I haven’t anything important to do,” 
Ben said, with a feeble attempt at sternness. 

“ I haven’t asked your permission. You can’t very 
well order the mate below, and here I propose to remain. 
Besides, it seems to me you should be free to go where 
you please, because those Chinamen need careful watching. 
No one can say how soon they may attempt to take 


IN COMMAND. 


93 


possession of the brig, and it would n’t be strange if they 
did contemplate something of the kind, since there is 
really only one man to oppose them.” 

“ But I can keep my eye on them and steer at the 
same time.” 

“And so can I,” Miss Dunham replied quickly ; “ or, at 
least, I can do the steering, and if you are at liberty it will 
be possible to get the decks into something like decent 
condition before we reach port.” 

As a matter of fact Ben preferred to have the young 
lady near him, and, since she was so determined to assist 
in working the brig, he made no further attempt to send 
her below. 

As she had said, there was very much to be done, and 
when the Chinamen had finished their meal, the young 
captain called them aft to send the cannon below, taking 
good care, at the same time, to let them see that both 
he and the young lady were on the alert for possible 
mischief. 

Then a feeble attempt was made to clear the decks, at 
least so far as to render it possible for the men to do 
the necessary work of handling the ship, and by sunset 
matters wore a decidedly different appearance from what 
they had when the young captain came on board. 

These seamanlike operations had restored to old Eliph- 
alet his lost courage, and he bustled around in the 
galley in the busiest fashion, singing “ Ebery day’ll be 
Sunday byneby,” in the j oiliest manner possible. 

Ben spelled Miss Dunham at the wheel while she ate 


94 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


supper, and the Chinamen lounged around on the deck, 
apparently well content with the situation, as they cer- 
tainly must have been if they contrasted it with that of 
their comrades who had participated in the attack. 

Had Ben been able to arrange matters as he thought 
they should be, his “mate” would have retired to her 
room, for he felt certain she must be in need of rest ; 
but when he attempted once more to induce her to go 
below, his proposition was met by such a decided refusal 
that he was forced to desist, although he insisted on 
handling the wheel himself during the hours of the 
evening. 

She brought her lounging chair from the cabin, and, 
sitting by his side, opened a conversation by referring 
to the compass, much as if wishing to banish from her 
mind all memory of the immediate past. 

“ What would sailors do without a true friend like 
that,” she said, pointing to the binnacle. 

“ I reckon they ’d have to stay at home, for I can’t 
fancy how a mariner could get along without his compass ; 
but I don’t give it any great credit for being true. The 
deviations of the needle have brought many a good ship 
to the reefs.” 

“That would not happen if it was often corrected.” 

“ Merchant sailors don’t have time to ‘ swing ’ a ship as 
do those in the navy.” 

“ No, and yet they might do so oftener. I wonder 
when compasses were invented ? ” 

“That has interested me a good bit,” Ben replied. 


IN COMMAND. 


95 


“ According to all I’ve been able to pick up on the 
subject they were unknown in Europe until the end of 
the twelfth century ; but had been used in China and the 
East, generally, before the Christian era. It is said that 
the Emperor Hon-aug-ti made an instrument, three or 
four thousand years ago, which would indicate the south.” 

“ I read somewhere that a knowledge of the compass 
was brought to Europe by Marco Polo on his return from 
Cathay,” Miss Dunham interrupted. 

“Yes, I remember that account; but I have seen it 
stated that instruments were known to have been used at 
sea about the year 300. I wonder if the mariners in 
those days were troubled by the variations of the needle 
as much as we are now.” 

“ I should say not, for there was probably less iron 
around. Have you seen the compass invented by Sir 
William Thomson ? By the way, is he a relative of 
yours ? ” 

“ I have seen his invention, which is a valuable one, and 
am sorry to say that I can’t claim kinship. He spells his 
name without a ‘p,’ which is a heinous offence in the eyes 
of those who claim such a letter necessary.” 

“ In what way does his compass differ from the one we 
are using ? ” 

“ It would take me too long to explain, and I question 
if it were possible, no matter how hard I might try. It 
has several magnets suspended by silk cords, and is made 
of aluminum. The variations cannot be as great with 
his instrument, and more easily corrected.” 


9 6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“Why does a needle vary from the true direction ?” 

“ Now you ’ve asked me a puzzler/' Ben replied, with a 
hearty laugh. “ As a matter of fact, I never heard that 
any one had solved that question ; but there are very many 
theories, some plausible and others foolish.” 

“ Would it be possible for you to find out if this one is 
correct ? ” 

“ Not without swinging to some true bearing on shore ; 
I shall compare it with the Sportsman' s when we arrive at 
Hong Kong, provided, of course, I am allowed to remain 
in command.” 

“ I sincerely hope there will be no change of captain,” 
the young girl said, earnestly ; “ for, after what has hap- 
pened, I am quite positive you will be able to take the little 
ship home as well, if not better, than any one who could 
be found in Hong Kong.” 

“ Now, that ’s what I call getting a long leg to wind- 
ward,” Ben said, with a hearty laugh. “With you on my 
side I count myself in full command.” 

“ How do you make that out ? I don’t fancy the con- 
signees would take any advice from me.” 

“ They could n’t help it. All you ’ve got to do is to 
look at them once, and they ’re done for, so far as having 
any opinion of their own is concerned.” 

Now it was Miss Dunham’s turn to laugh, which she 
did right merrily, and before an hour had passed the two 
felt as well acquainted as if they had known each other for 
years, instead of only a few hours. 

“ Have you been in the China Seas before, captain ? ” 


IN COMMAND . 


97 


she asked, after an unusually long pause, during which 
Ben had been scanning her face, as if mentally deciding 
how thoroughly helpless any consignee would be in her 
presence. 

“ Never.” 

“ And do you count on being able to take the brig into 
port without a pilot ? ” 

“ I have n’t got so far as that in my thinking. I suppose, 
as a matter of fact, I must take one aboard. You see I 
only figured on getting possession of the craft, and running 
up the coast. I didn’t spend much time on the details 
after that should have been done.” Then a sudden thought 
occurred to him, and he added quickly, “ Who knows but 
that one of our crew is familiar with these waters ? ” 

“ Would you trust either of them if he should profess 
to be ? ” 

“ I would so long as I could stand over him with a 
revolver. I reckon if he knew that a bullet in his head 
would be the price of the brig’s touching bottom, we 
should go through without any trouble.” 

Then, without waiting to hear her opinion on the sub- 
ject, Ben called to him the fellow who apparently best 
understood what he said when the orders had previously 
been given. 

The man slouched aft in a hangdog fashion without 
raising his eyes, and stood in front of the young captain, 
waiting to be questioned. 

“ Now see here, my fine fellow, you understand Eng- 
lish, don’t you ?” 


98 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


The man looked at him with a vacant expression on his 
face, and Ben added sharply : 

“ I know very well you do, from the way you acted 
when you were first found on board. I ’ve got a perfect 
right to treat you just as we treated some of your friends 
this afternoon, and the law would uphold me in it without 
any question. Instead of having you hanged for attempted 
piracy, I propose to pay for your services until we reach 
Hong Kong, which is a good deal more than most ship- 
masters would do ; but there is a chance I might change 
my mind about that, even now, so it stands you and your 
friends in hand to walk pretty straight. Tell me, do you 
know the coast from here to Hong Kong ? ” 

The fellow waited an instant, as if trying to decide 
whether it would be advisable to admit he understood 
what was said, and then it may have been the look of 
determination in the young captain’s eye which warned him 
it would be neither wise nor safe to continue as he had 
begun, therefore he replied in the villainous dialect called 
“ pidgin-English, ” that he had piloted vessels to Macao. 

“ Were you never in Hong Kong ? ” 

Ben understood him to say he had visited that city, 
but could not be trusted to pilot a vessel there. 

“ Can you take this brig into Macao without difficulty ? ” 
The man nodded his head in a positive manner. 

“ But what good would it do to go to Macao when the 
consignees are in Hong Kong ? ” Miss Dunham asked, as 
Ben hesitated a moment, evidently considering whether or 
no he should utilise this prisoner of his as a pilot. 


IN COMMAND. 


99 


“ We should be quite as well off there, since it is only 
thirty-eight miles across to Hong Kong, and I am not 
certain but I would rather have the brig in that port in 
furtherance of my own plans.” 

“ I did not mean to question anything you did in the 
matter, but only asked from curiosity. If it would improve 
your chance of getting command by going there, let us do 
so by all means.” 

“I think I will try it,” Ben said, hesitatingly, and then, 
as if having fully made up his mind, he turned again to 
the Chinaman. 

“You shall take us to Macao. As I said before, all 
three of you will be paid for such work as is performed, 
and I want you to be very careful that you understand 
this portion of the bargain, in order to explain it to your 
friends. I intend to run the risk of allowing you to pilot 
the brig into port, but, at the same time, I shall take the 
precaution of keeping a mighty strict watch, and at the 
least sign of treachery there will be trouble for all three. 
I sha’ n’t make any allowance for ignorance, and it will go 
hard with your precious bodies if, by the slightest mistake, 
this craft touches bottom before our anchors are down in 
port.” 

The fellow did not seem to think there was any neces- 
sity of his replying to these statements, and remained 
silent and motionless in front of the young captain, until 
the latter asked impatiently : 

“ Did you understand all I said ? ” 

The man nodded. 


100 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ And are you willing to go on under these terms ? ” 

A shrug of the shoulders, decidedly Frenchy in its way, 
was sufficient to signify that he had no other alternative, 
and Ben ordered him forward once more, saying to Miss 
Dunham when they were comparatively alone again : 

“ I suppose father would refuse to accept of any such 
assistance ; but he has never been in a position exactly 
like this, therefore it is not for me to speculate upon 
what he would or would not do ; I shall take the chances, 
and, if keeping those fellows in my sight every moment 
will insure success to my plans, by this time to - morrow 
we should be drawing near Macao.” 

“ Do you know anything about the place ? ” 

“No; but if you will go into your father’s room you will 
find a work on the China Seas, in which, unless I am mis- 
taken, a brief description of the town may be found. Sup- 
pose you look the matter up for the information of both ? ” 
Miss Dunham acted upon the suggestion, and returned 
a few moments later with an open volume in her hand, 
holding it while Ben read the following : 

“ Macao (A-Ma-ngao, ‘Harbor of the Goddess A-Ma; ’ Portuguese, 
Macau), a Portuguese settlement on the coast of China. It consists 
of a tongue of land one and a half square miles in extent, running 
south-southwest from the island of Hiang Shang (Portuguese, Au- 
cam), on the western side of the estuary of the Canton River. Bold 
and rocky hills about three hundred feet in height occupy both ex- 
tremities of the peninsula, the picturesque-looking city, with its flat- 
roofed houses painted blue, green, and red, lying in the far from level 
stretch of ground between. The forts are effective additions to the 
general view, but do not add much to the real strength of the place.”' 


IN COMMAND. 


IOI 


After having satisfied their curiosity regarding the port 
toward which circumstances directed them, Miss Dunham 
was no longer particularly interested in Macao ; but seemed 
anxious to learn what Ben’s chances were for gaining 
permanent command of the brig, and it pleased him not a 
little when she expressed fear lest something might occur 
to prevent this consummation of his desires. 

“ I suppose there is less chance of finding a master 
without a ship in this port than there would be at Hong 
Kong ? ” she suggested. 

“ That would n’t make any difference,” Ben replied. 
“ The two ports are so near together that there would be 
no difficulty in sending a man from one to the other at a 
moment’s notice. My only idea was that I should of a 
necessity be forced to remain considerably longer on board, 
and of course every day I stay by the brig makes my 
chances so much the better.” 

“ Do you intend to go to Hong Kong immediately after 
arriving ? ” 

“ As soon after as is possible.” 

“ Would you do so if you were really in command of the 
brig ? ” 

“ No, I should content myself with sending a message, 
and attend to getting her into some kind of a decent con- 
dition before making a personal report.” 

The young girl was silent for a moment, and then asked, 
suddenly : 

“ Whom would you send if you had a full crew aboard ? ” 

“ Well, most likely, the mate, for I should prefer to re- 


102 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


main here myself to see that the brig was in proper con- 
dition before starting on the voyage, which would require 
considerable time.” 

“ Why not send your mate as it is ? She can’t do any- 
thing toward fitting out the ship ; but may be able to 
accomplish considerable with the agents.” 

“ Are you proposing to go to Hong Kong yourself ? ” 
Ben asked, in surprise. 

“ I must be very stupid in the manner of expressing 
myself if you don’t understand that by this time.” 

“ But do you mean to propose to speak with the agents 
about my taking the brig home ? ” 

“ Certainly ; ” and then, looking up at him with a merry 
twinkle in her eyes, she added : “ Did n’t you say that any 
agent or consignee would be powerless if I stood before 
him once ? ” 

“Well, I meant it ! ” Ben cried, bringing his hand down 
on the spoke of the wheel with a resounding slap, to give 
greater emphasis to the words. “ If you go to report 
the arrival of the Progressive Age , there is no doubt but 
that I shall be appointed captain, provided you say the 
word.” 

“ I shall say the word, and now all you have to do is 
attend to shipping your mate off as soon as we are at 
anchor. In addition to calling on the agents, I shall pay 
a visit to the Sportsman , and tell Captain Thompson what 
a brave son he has.” 

“Well, there I am afraid you will fail,” Ben said, 
laughingly. “While I am ready to take oath that any 


IN COMMAND. 


103 


man must accept what you say as law and gospel, it 
would be a pretty difficult job to persuade father I am 
anything more than a reasonably poor specimen of a 
sailor. However, I would like to have him meet you, 
indeed I would, and the first officer, too ! It would be 
worth a month’s wages if old Short could see a handsome 
girl like you on the quarter-deck of the Sportsman for 
five minutes or so.” 

“ Is this Mr. Short as lavish with his compliments as 
you are ? Or does n’t that quality extend aft of the 
forecastle ? ” 

“ I never saw the first mate when he had as good a 
chance as I have got ; but I tell you what it is, Miss 
Dunham, he ’s sailor enough to be able to run all around 
me in such things, for he’s been to sea longer. You 
know there ’s nothing in this wide world that will awaken 
a shellback’s enthusiasm so quick as a pretty girl.” 

A ringing laugh followed this very gallant and seaman- 
like speech, and then, dismissing pleasantry for business, 
Miss Dunham began to discuss the details of the proposed 
trip, Ben charging her with such messages as he wished 
delivered to Mr. Short, for he believed that gentleman 
might be of great assistance in procuring him the coveted 
command. 

It was past midnight before this topic of conversation 
was exhausted, and then the young captain insisted once 
more that his “mate” should retire; but she was as 
determined as ever to remain on deck. The only com- 
promise she would accept was to allow him to bring some 


104 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


wraps, that she might be protected from the night air, in 
case her eyes did close in slumber despite her will. 

The wind had freshened considerably ; but under such 
a scanty supply of canvas as the brig was, there would 
have been no necessity for shortening it even if a gale 
had sprung up, and Ben considered the advisability of 
attempting to show more sail, despite the small crew at 
his command. 

He decided against anything of the kind, however, in 
view of the fact that it could not be taken in at short 
notice by his three sailors, and forced himself to be 
content with the slow but safe progress the brig was 
then making. 

The Chinese were lying on the deck near the galley, 
curled up like rats in a spare sail, and from certain nasal 
sounds which proceeded from the kitchen, it was evident 
Uncle Eliphalet’s fears had been soothed by slumber. 

To Ben’s satisfaction, Miss Dunham was finally forced 
to yield to the embrace of the drowsy god, and during 
the last four hours of the night she slept as peacefully 
as if in her own room below. 

The young captain was running by the chart, and had 
no need of his alleged pilot’s services until they should 
draw nearer their destination ; therefore, so far as could be 
seen, he was not . only in command, but had sole care of 
the brig during the greater portion of the hours of 
darkness. 

Miss Dunham awakened when the first rays of the 
rising sun glinted the waters with a golden radiance, and, 


IN COMMAND . IO5 

starting to her feet as if she had just detected herself in 
an act of wrong doing, she exclaimed : 

“ I ’m afraid I have been asleep.” 

“ I reckon you have,” Ben replied, grimly. “According 
to all appearances it’s been a four -hour nap, which is 
about as much rest as the mate of a brig ought to have 
at one time.” 

“ I ’ll make amends by taking the wheel while you lie 
down a few moments.” 

“That kind of an apology is unnecessary, because I 
should not be able to go to sleep if I turned in ; and it is 
enough for me if you have gained some rest. You may 
take the helm a few moments, if you will, while I shake 
Eliphalet up into cooking condition, for he has n’t shown 
his face outside that galley yet. I didn’t dare call him 
for fear of awakening you.” 

Miss Dunham stepped to the wheel, and Ben went 
forward, looking back an instant just as he arrived at 
the galley. 

He had never seen a prettier picture than that 
presented by the young girl, as she stood in a flood of 
golden light, the wind tossing her brown hair here and 
there until it shone in the sunbeams like films of silk, 
her cheeks glowing, her eyes sparkling, and every move- 
ment replete with grace and the buoyancy of life. 

“Talk about mates!” Ben said to himself. “There’s 
one any captain would be proud of,” and, thanks to the 
charming picture which she presented, his call to the 
steward was less harsh than it would have been, for there 


106 THE BOY CAPTAIN. 

was an indescribable softness in his heart, new-born, 
which would not permit of the sailor -like language it 
was natural for him to use. 

The Chinamen were on their feet instantly he sum- 
moned Uncle Eliphalet, and, without waiting for orders, 
the one who had taken upon himself the duties of pilot 
directed the others to continue the half-completed work 
of cleaning the decks. 

“ That’s right,” Ben said, approvingly. “Do all you can, 
my hearties, and if you keep at it like men there shall be 
nothing said about my finding you on board under such 
suspicious circumstances.” 

It surely seemed as if the young captain’s troubles had 
come to an end with the defeat of the pirates, for no ship- 
master ever had an easier time getting into port than he, 
from the moment the Progressive Age left the island. 

It is true that with a larger crew she would have made 
very much, better time ; but speed was of no particular 
importance so far as his scheme, or the safety of the craft, 
was concerned, and he was not at all impatient because of 
the slow progress. 

The Chinese pilot understood, beyond a question, that 
his only hope of escaping from the dangerous position in 
which he had placed himself was by rendering all the 
assistance in his power, and he performed the task which 
Ben required of him in a thoroughly efficient manner. 

The Progressive Age came to an anchor in the harbpr 
of Macao on the forenoon of the second day after leaving 
Nampang Island, and, paying the men what he considered 


IN COMMAND. 


10 7 


a generous amount for their services, Ben had the only 
remaining boat lowered in readiness for going on shore, 
explaining to his crew of prisoners that they should be 
discharged as soon as the gig was pulled to the land. 

Miss Dunham, eager to begin the work which she 
believed would result in the appointment of Ben to the 
position of captain of the brig, was ready for the journey 
to Hong Kong before the anchors had been dropped, and, 
in less than ten minutes from the time of arrival, she 
and the young captain were on the Great Quay seeking 
information as to the time for the regular Hong Kong 
steamers to sail. 

“ It seems like shirking my duty to send you alone,” he 
said, after all the arrangements had been made, and he 
was about to take his leave of her. “ Perhaps I ought to 
go, although I am positive I would not succeed as well as 
you.” 

“ There’s no reason why you should say anything of the 
kind. The matter has been decided upon, and it only re- 
mains to ask if there are other instructions to give me?” 

‘‘Bless your heart, no. You understand the position of 
affairs quite as well as I do, and, I am satisfied, will trans- 
act the business a great deal better. When shall I hear 
from you ? ” 

“ I don’t think you need expect any word, for if I am 
successful I shall come back at once in order to bring the 
good news, and, in case of failure, it will be equally neces- 
sary to return for my belongings, since I shall not go home 
in the brig if a stranger takes command.” 


io8 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Then, clasping for a single moment his outstretched 
hand, she turned away, and Ben bent his steps toward the 
office of the consul, thinking to himself that he was mak- 
ing rapid strides in the acquaintanceship of this young 
woman, if she no longer considered him a stranger. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


miss dunham’s return. 

TAEN had spent, in paying for his passage from Hong 
Kong to Nampang Island, and in settling with his 
crew, nearly all the small amount of money which he re- 
ceived from his father as wages, but now that the brig was 
in port there was really no necessity for ready cash, since 
any of the merchants would willingly have advanced a 
reasonable sum on a distress note signed by him as captain. 

His first visit, after parting with Miss Dunham, was to 
the American consul, for the purpose of learning where 
sailors could be procured, and before nightfall he had four 
experienced hands busily engaged in setting the little 
craft to rights. 

When evening came, and matters on board were look- 
ing very- much as they should, Ben allowed himself, for 
the first time since having left the Sportsman , to indulge 
in rest, and as he went below to turn in it was with the 
thought that at last he occupied in a proper manner the 
position of captain, even though it might be only for a 
short time. 

The men whom he had employed could stand the 
anchor watches, and there were yet sufficient provisions to 
furnish them with the necessaries of life, consequently he 


109 


I IO 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


had no mental disquietude concerning the immediate 
future. 

It can well be fancied how sound his slumbers were on 
that night, and decidedly refreshing in more senses than 
one, for ever and again would come to him, borne by the 
dream elves, a certain rosy -cheeked face and sparkling 
eyes, over which the brown hair was blown by the wind 
like films of the sheeniest silk. 

When he awakened next morning it was with the 
feeling that he would have been almost willing to forego 
the satisfaction of being in truth the commander of the 
Progressive Age , if he could have his “ mate ” with him 
then, instead of at Hong Kong, even though she was 
there working in his interest. 

There was too much labour to be performed, however, to 
permit of his building air -castles, and he set about the 
tasks of the day in the most energetic fashion. 

Again did it seem as if fortune was determined to 
shower all possible blessings upon him, for, before noon, 
a merchant came on board with a proposition of the most 
advantageous freight direct to New York, and, after some 
bargaining, Ben closed the trade. 

He had every reason to congratulate himself, not only 
upon having rescued the brig from the dangerous position 
in which the original crew had left her, but on having 
made such arrangements for the voyage home as must 
unquestionably prove in the highest degree satisfactory 
to the owners. 

“ I wish she had waited one day longer, and taken with 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN. I I I 

her the news of this charter,” Ben said to himself, when 
the merchant left him, promising to send a tug to convey 
the brig to the dock where she was to take in the cargo ; 
“ for if they refuse to give me command, thinking I have 
not already done enough to prove my worthiness, it seems 
as if this trade should clinch the business. However, I ’ll 
go ahead as if I really was the captain, and if I don’t 
continue in the berth it won’t be either Miss Dunham’s 
fault or my own.” 

Twenty-four hours later the brig was in the hands of 
the stevedores, and Ben had already ordered such a supply 
of provisions as he thought would suffice for the voyage 
across the ocean. 

He did not attempt to victual the ship in what he 
considered a proper manner, but with due reference to 
economy, knowing full well how this would count in the 
eyes of the owners, and, in fact, concluded so much busi- 
ness with nothing but his power of attorney to prove his 
authority, that it would have been an awkward matter, 
to say the least, for the agents to have appointed another 
captain of the vessel. 

On the afternoon of the third day after Miss Dunham’s 
departure, Ben was in the cabin checking off the list 
of stores, when he was both surprised and delighted to see 
first his father, and then the young girl, enter. 

“You see I have brought the master of the Sports- 
man with me, Captain Thompson,” Miss Dunham cried, 
cheerily, laying particular emphasis on Ben’s title, and 
springing quickly to his feet, he said, interrogatively : 


I 12 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ Then you succeeded ? ” 

“ Did n’t you say it would be impossible for me to 
fail ?” 

“ And I have proved a good prophet ? ” 

“ You surely have in this case, for you are in command 
of the Progressive Age , as your father can tell you.” 

“Yes, boy, you have succeeded,” the elder captain 
said, grimly, as he seated himself at the head of the table, 
“and I won’t say that you wouldn’t have done so even 
without as able an advocate as you sent. But she truly 
smoothed matters to a wonderful degree, and I believe Mr. 
Short would have had an attack of apoplexy if all her 
demands had not been complied with. She has completely 
captured that old shellback. How is it that you are 
loading ? ” 

Ben explained to his father what he had done, giving all 
the details of the charter, and adding in conclusion : 

“ I hope the arrangements which I have made will 
prove satisfactory.” 

“ They could not fail of that, for you have succeeded in 
getting an unusually good freight, and provisioned your 
ship very economically ; almost too much so, perhaps, but 
that is a good fault in a young captain.” 

“ Don’t you care to know how I got the vessel away ? ” 
Ben asked, disappointed because his father did not appear 
at all curious on that point. 

“Why bless you, boy, Mr. Short and I heard all the 
details, and with a deal of colouring I can assure you, before 
Miss Dunham had been aboard the Sportsman two hours. 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN. II3 

She would have made us listen whether we wanted to or 
not, so determined was she to sing your praises.” 

Ben looked up quickly at the young girl, and she added, 
archly : 

“ I only did that because I wanted to enlist your father 
and Mr. Short in your behalf. Of course, you know I said 
a good many things I did n’t believe.” 

“ Then perhaps I ought not to thank you, if I owe my 
position as captain to any misrepresentations on your 
part,” Ben replied, with an assumption of gravity he was 
very far from feeling. 

“But to the agents and consul I told only the facts,” 
the young woman replied, now quite serious. “ I fancied 
your father and Mr. Short would be more interested in a 
highly coloured picture of your exploits, therefore laid 
the paint on as thickly as was consistent with a semblance 
of truth.” 

“ Did you overexert yourself to such an extent that 
father thought it necessary to come back with you ? ” 

“ I will trust her to go anywhere alone,” the older captain 
said, quickly. “ I am here as representative of the owners 
to decide with you upon the general details of the voyage ; 
but it would seem as if my visit was unnecessary, since 
you are so nearly ready for sea. I fancy there is little 
for me to do except make a friendly visit and go back. I 
must congratulate you, my son, however, upon the manner 
in which you have done this work, and say that you thor- 
oughly deserve the command of the brig, even though you 
did jump directly from the forecastle to the cabin. As 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


114 

matters have turned, I am inclined to think it was a good 
idea to send a boy for the craft, rather than an experienced 
master, for no one but a man before the mast would have 
taken the chances of putting to sea with such a crew as 
you had.” 

“ Well, for the matter of that, it strikes me that I did n’t 
have very much choice,” Ben replied, laughingly. “ It 
was a question of weighing anchor or staying there to 
be murdered, and I quite naturally wanted to keep the 
breath of life in my body a few days more.” 

“ How long before you will be ready to put to sea ? ” 

“ Three or four days, according to the way the cargo is 
being rushed aboard. You see my charter calls for the 
utmost despatch, and they seem to be filling their part of 
the contract to the queen’s taste. Will you have a look at 
the brig, sir ? ” 

“ No, I fancy not, unless there is some particular reason 
for my doing so. I know her pretty well, and have been 
aboard many times when this young lady’s father was in 
command.” 

Then the elder captain gave his son some good advice 
relative to the voyage which was to be so soon begun, and, 
refusing an invitation to remain over night, on the plea 
that he wanted to go on the next steamer to Hong Kong, 
took his departure as he said : 

“ Of course you will visit the agents before you leave, 
consequently I shall see you on board the Sportsman 
within the next two or three days.” 

Then the young people were left alone, and Ben, after 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN. 1 1 5 

ordering Eliphalet to serve a lunch in the cabin, said to 
Miss Dunham, who had by this time removed her travel- 
ling costume for the one she ordinarily wore on shipboard, 
and returned to the saloon : 

“ At last I am captain, and it will be hard lines if I ever 
have to go back to the forecastle again. It is to you I 
owe this decidedly pleasant change of position, and I want 
you to understand how grateful I am for what has been 
done.” 

“ I prefer you would n’t talk in that way, captain. You 
yourself earned the promotion, and are giving me the 
credit simply because I brought the good news. As a 
matter of fact I had nothing to do with the appointment, 
other than telling the truth regarding what you have done 
since coming aboard. You never would have been made 
captain of this brig if you had not deserved it, consequently 
no gratitude is due me.” 

Then Miss Dunham gave a detailed account of her visit 
to Hong Kong, explaining what had been said to her by 
the agents of the brig’s owners, how little persuasion was 
necessary to gain the young captain’s appointment after it 
was known what he had done, and concluded with an 
eulogy on Mr. Short. 

«He seems to think you were intended by nature for a 
sailor, and, so far as colouring any story relative to you is 
concerned, I could not begin with him. It seemed as if 
he would never tire of hearing me tell about what you had 
done.” 

“ A dear, good friend of mine, is Short,” Ben replied, 


6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


thoughtfully, “ and many a time, when father has thought 
it necessary for my good to use stronger discipline than 
he would in the case of one of the other sailors, I know 
the old man has interfered in my behalf. It is queer that 
I have been thinking so much of a visit to Hong Kong, 
and shall now leave port without really having seen it. As 
a matter of fact I haven’t even a general idea of what the 
place is like.” 

“ Then I would advise you to adopt the same course 
which you recommended to me,” Miss Dunham said, 
laughingly. 

“ What is that ? ” 

“ Study from the volume you gave me when I inquired 
regarding Macao. Here it is,” she added, taking the book 
from the table, “and I will read it to you.” 

Then Ben listened to the following : 

“ Hong Kong, properly Hiang-Kiang (the place of sweet streams), 
an important British island possession, situated off the southeast 
coast of China, opposite the province Kwang-tung, on the east side of 
the estuary of the Chu-Kiang or Canton River, thirty-eight miles 
east of Macao and seventy-five southeast of Canton. It is one of a 
small cluster named by the Portuguese, Ladrones or Thieves, on 
account of the notorious habits of their old inhabitants. Extremely 
irregular in outline, it has an area of twenty-nine square miles. 

“ From the mainland it is separated by a narrow channel, which 
at Hong Kong roads, between Victoria, the island capital, and Kan- 
lung Point, is about one mile broad, and which narrows at Ly-ce- 
moon Pass to little over a quarter of a mile. The best anchorage is 
in Hong Kong roads, where, over good holding ground, the depth is 
five to nine fathoms. The inner anchorage of Victoria Bay, about 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN. 


7 


half a mile off shore and out of the strength of the tide, is six to 
seven fathoms. Victoria, the seat alike of government and trade, is 
the chief centre of population, but in recent years a tract of four 
square miles on the mainland has been covered with public buildings 
and villa residences. 

“ Practically an outlying suburb of Victoria, Kan-lung (Nine 
Dragons), or as it is commonly called, Konloon, is free from the 
extreme heat of the capital, being exposed to the southwest monsoon. 
The buildings of Victoria, mostly of stone and brick, are greatly 
superior to those of the Chinese city. The merchants’ houses are 
elegant and spacious, with broad verandas and tasteful gardens. 

“ Including the Chinese town, Victoria extends for three miles 
along the bay, toward which it slopes from the base of the hills. It 
is lighted with gas, and supplied with water from an enormous reser- 
voir. The main thoroughfare is protected by a massive sea-wall. 
The streets are guarded by a strong force of Indian sepoys, and the 
natives are not allowed to go abroad after eight o’clock without a 
pass. The common mode of street conveyance is by chairs, while 
the passage across to Kan-lung is usually effected in sampans or pull- 
away boats.” 

“Well, I suppose I ought to know something about 
Hong Kong from that description,” Ben said, as Miss 
Dunham laid down the book ; “ but I had a great deal 
rather see it than accept any such account.” 

“ You’ll have an opportunity for a hurried glimpse when 
you visit the agents, and at some later day, — for of course a 
sea-captain as well-known as you will be after this voyage 
must necessarily anchor in that port many times in his 
life, — you can enjoy yourself to the utmost, for it is a 
pleasant place.” 

“ You have been there before ? ” 


8 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I spent four weeks ashore on the last voyage, and 
more than once went into the interior of the country. 
Here comes Eliphalet with the lunch, and I am so hungry 
that it seems as if it would be possible to devour every- 
thing he has prepared.” 

“ I have seen to it that your table will be supplied 
better in the future than it was when I first saw you, and 
during the voyage home you won’t have an opportunity 
of complaining that there are not delicacies enough on 
board.” 

Before the old darkey could arrange the food, it was 
necessary Miss Dunham assure him she had not suffered 
in any way during her absence from the brig, and only 
when his curiosity was fully gratified did he proceed with 
the regular work. 

“ Captain Thompson is to take the brig home, 
Eliphalet,” she said, gleefully. “ How do you like the 
idea ? ” 

“I hasn’t got er word to complain, missy, ef he brings 
back dem knives what am done gone los’ from de gal- 
ley.” 

" But I understood you threw them overboard at 
the pirates.” 

“ It mought er bin, missy, kase I don’ rightly ’member 
’bout dat scrimmage ; but does it stan’ to reason dat a 
fus’- class cook like yer ole uncle would er done sich a 
reckless job ? ” 

“ I can’t say as to that,” the young girl replied, with a 
merry laugh ; “ but it is certain you were reckless enough 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN. I 1 9 

to have done almost anything when the pirates attacked 
us.” 

“ I will see that you are well supplied with cutlery, 
uncle,” Ben added, and, thus assured, the old darkey 
toddled back to the galley, leaving the young people to 
enjoy the lunch and each other’s society. 

From this time until the brig left port, Ben had plenty 
with which to occupy his attention, as can well be fancied. 

It had been his intention to attend personally to every 
detail of fitting the vessel for sea, but so rapidly was the 
cargo put on board, that, in order to make the visit to 
Hong Kong, it was necessary he should trust the very 
important duty of seeing to the water supply to one of 
the sailors, whom he proposed to ship as second mate. 

On the second day after Miss Dunham’s return he took 
the steamer for Hong Kong, and there, in the shortest 
possible space of time, finished up such business with 
the agents as was necessary before leaving. 

He found his praises had been sung by Miss Dunham 
quite as warmly as he deserved, and the congratulations 
which he received were well calculated to turn the head 
of a stronger minded man. 

At the office of both the consul and the agents he was 
forced to repeat the story of his adventures with the 
pirates, and it was so late in the day when he arrived at 
Pedder’s Wharf, where he was to hire a boat to carry him 
to the Sportsman , as to preclude all possibility of his 
return to Macao that night. 

On hailing a sampan, he was surprised at seeing the 


20 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


craft swing suddenly around in front of the landing stage, 
and her crew pull away with the utmost despatch, until 
he recognised in them the same men whom he had hired 
to carry him to Nampang Island. 

“ I reckon that settles the question as to whether they 
knew anything about the attack which was to be made,” 
Ben said, grimly. “They are idiots to think I could do 
them any harm, for it would be impossible to prove the 
story ; but I ’d like to have hold of that yellow fellow 
long enough to choke into him some idea of honest deal- 
ing. He ’d never leave another white man to be murdered 
by his villainous friends, I ’ll guarantee that.” 

The owner of the sampan was fully determined not to 
give him any such opportunity, and, by the time Ben 
reached the Sportsman , the unpleasant incident of seeing 
this disagreeably familiar face was nearly forgotten. 

It can be well fancied what a warm reception he met 
with both in the cabin and the forecastle of the ship. 

From Mr. Short’s expressions of pleasure and satisfac- 
tion at the young man’s promotion, one would have 
fancied he was directly concerned in the matter, and Ben 
rendered the old man’s joy more complete by saying : 

“ I have to thank you as much as any one else for this 
thing, Mr. Short.” 

“ Nonsense, boy, nonsense ! ” What did I have to do 
with it ? I did n’t go down the coast an’ tackle a lot of 
murderin’ heathen.” 

“ No ; but you did a good bit toward helping me get 
there, for I ’d had precious little chance to talk with the 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN 


I 2 I 


agents first if father had gotten hold of the story. Most 
likely a captain would have been appointed before I went 
ashore, but for your assistance.” 

It was evident the old man was pleased at being thus 
regarded as a benefactor, and during the time Ben re- 
mained on the ship he did not lose an opportunity to give 
him good advice, or make suggestions as to the proper 
course for a young captain to pursue under various 
supposititious circumstances. 

It would have pleased Mr. Short only too well if Ben 
had borrowed from him every chart and nautical instru- 
ment he owned ; but the kindly offers were refused on 
the plea that the brig was plentifully supplied with such 
articles. 

The captain of the Sportsman did not burden his son 
with counsel as to his future line of conduct, but dis- 
missed the matter in these few words, when, on the 
following morning, Ben was on the point of taking his 
departure : 

“ I reckon, my son, that you can be trusted to look out 
for the craft now under your command. Don’t take too 
many chances, and remember that on the success of this 
voyage depends your career as a sailing-master. An 
error of judgment now would always count against you, 
no matter how many brilliant things you might do in the 
future.” 

It is safe to say that Ben was followed by the good 
wishes of every person on board the Sportsman when he 
left to rejoin his vessel, and it would have been strange 


122 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


indeed if he had not felt very proud at having thus so 
suddenly and decidedly bettered his prospects in life. 

On the passenger steamer bound for Macao he met the 
man who was recommended by the agents for the position 
of first mate, and felt quite satisfied he would be pleased 
with this assistant. 

Jacob Bean was the mate’s name, and a typical Yankee 
he was. 

A young man, not more than four years Ben’s senior, 
and one who had the reputation of understanding his 
business thoroughly. 

“ Is this your first voyage as chief mate ? ” Ben asked 
him when they had been introduced. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ And it is mine as captain, so there will be two green 
ones together.” 

“ It would not be safe to call you green, sir, after what 
I hear you did around Nampang Island, and if all the 
agents say is true, I am mighty lucky to have gotten in 
with such a captain. Grit and sand are what I like, and 
there isn’t a man in Hong Kong to-day who won’t say 
you have got plenty of that kind of stock in trade.” 

“Well, you see, Mr. Bean, it ’s just likely all the stories 
you heard about me may not be true.” 

“We ’ll admit it, sir, and yet the fact remains that the 
brig is at Macao, and was brought there by you, with 
only three pirates as a crew. That was a pretty bold 
stroke, setting those fellows at work after you had cap- 
tured them.” 


MISS DUNHAM'S RETURN 


123 


“ It was a case of necessity rather than boldness. I 
had to have some one, so took what material I found on 
hand.” 

As a matter of course the young man was pleased at 
being praised, as is almost any one, and he truly got 
enough to satisfy the most avaricious in such matters 
before they arrived at Macao. 

Then there was sufficient work for both the officers to 
prevent any further discussion regarding the adventures 
on the coast, for the brig was loaded, and the shipping 
agents had sent word that the crew would be on board 
that evening, a pilot having already been engaged to take 
the little craft to sea. 


CHAPTER IX. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

R EFERRING to the young captain’s private journal 
of the voyage, the following are the first entries 
found : 

“ Monday, October 29th. 

“ 4 p. m. Crew came on board all drunk. 8 p. m. Pilot came 
on board. 11 p. m. Tide coming fair, we beat out to the outer 
roads. 4 a. m. Dropped anchor.” 

“Tuesday, October 30th. 

“ 6 a. m. Wind being fair, got under way with all sail, and pro- 
ceeded to sea. 9 a. m. Pilot left. 12 m. The great Ladrone 
Island bore N.E. by E. dist. 14 miles, from which I took my depar- 
ture, steering S.S.W. The day ends in light breezes and fine 
weather.” 

During the general excitement and confusion attendant 
upon getting under way, Ben had but little time to in- 
dulge in conversation with Miss Dunham. 

An older and more experienced sailing-master would 
have intrusted the greater portion of the work to the first 
and second officers ; but he felt such a sense of respon- 
sibility that it seemed absolutely necessary he should 
attend in person to everything which was done, and when, 
as is shown by the first entry in his private journal, the 


124 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


125 


crew came on board intoxicated, it caused him no slight 
amount of worriment and vexation. 

He had seen such a state of affairs on his father’s ship 
each time she was made ready for sea, for, as a rule, the 
sailor spends his last hour on shore in befuddling his brain 
with liquor, and is seldom fit for duty until his craft is out 
of sight of land. 

Ben knew perfectly well that he was allowing himself to 
be troubled by trifles, and there were ever in his mind the 
parting words of his father, to the effect that on the suc- 
cess of this voyage depended his future career as a ship- 
master. What in other captains would be overlooked, in 
him would count as the gravest errors of judgment, 
therefore he had determined to watch his officers and crew 
as closely as if from them he feared foul play. 

The first and second mates understood that their cap- 
tain was taking too much upon himself, but they fully 
appreciated his position, and the feelings which caused 
him to interfere, oftentimes unwarrantably, in their de- 
partments, therefore, instead of insisting they should be 
left unhampered in their movements, as probably would 
have been the case if they had shipped under an older 
man, both took good - naturedly all his superfluous as well 
as necessary commands and advice. 

Miss Dunham also observed the young captain’s anxious 
movements, and Tuesday forenoon, half an hour or more 
after the pilot had left the ship, she came on to the 
quarter - deck where Ben was pacing to and fro as if on 
the lookout. 


26 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


He was conscious of having neglected her somewhat 
since his return from Hong Kong, and said, as she 
approached and took his arm for a promenade : 

“ You are too good a sailor to fancy any explanation is 
due from me regarding what may have seemed like neglect, 
for you know the responsibility which rests upon a cap- 
tain, particularly when he is starting out on a long voyage 
with a ship in not exactly as good a condition as he could 
ask for.” 

“ Yes, I understand it all,” she said, with a smile, “ and 
hope you won’t be offended, captain, when I say I think 
you are fretting yourself unnecessarily about trifles. Of 
course you feel anxious ; that is only natural, but if you 
keep on at this rate you will never live to see New York, 
for you are literally worrying yourself to death.” 

“There’s no danger of that,” Ben replied, with a laugh. 
“ I can stand a good deal of mental trouble before knock- 
ing under.” 

“ That may be ; but you ’ll wear yourself down to a 
shadow. Why not take things as your father would ? ” 

“ It is hardly reasonable to expect a fellow to put on the 
airs of an old shellback, when he finds himself in com- 
mand for the first time ; but it ’ll wear off before we make 
Good Hope. You see I ’m like a boy with a new suit of 
clothes — he doesn’t feel quite at home. You would n’t 
see much evidence of nervousness if I was in the fore- 
castle.” 

“ I shall expect each day to see less evidence of it in 
the cabin. It is necessary for your own sake that you 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


1 27 


cease trying to do the work of all the officers. We have 
had a good start, it could n’t be better, wind fair, enough 
of it, not too much, and apparently everything in our favour. 
What are so many of the crew doing aloft ? ” 

“ They are setting up the rigging ; getting things snug 
for the voyage. There ’s a good deal to be done yet, and 
we want to utilise this pleasant weather.” 

Miss Dunham realised fully the necessity of doing some- 
thing to relieve the mental strain upon the young com- 
mander’s mind, and at once feigned an interest in the 
method of striking the hours on the ship’s bell. 

“ Is time kept on naval vessels as it is in the merchant 
service ? ” she asked, innocently. 

Ben, thinking she was really eager for information, fell 
into the trap at once, and, during the half-hour which fol- 
lowed, it is safe to say he ceased to feel the dreadful 
weight of responsibility which was nearly overpowering 
him, so interested did he become in his own narrative. 

“ The bell is of greater importance on ships of war,” he 
began. “ Of course the nautical day begins the same, 
when eight bells is struck. It ’s a form which must not 
be omitted, or woe to the officer of the deck. It is struck 
half-hourly, day and night, one stroke being added for each 
half-hour until eight is reached, when the count begins at 
one bell. It is curious that the British navy is the only 
one in the world which does not adhere to this rule.” 

“ Why should they have a different method of marking 
time ? ” Miss Dunham asked. 

“ It is not essentially different, but there is a curious 


128 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


omission. It is said that, before the British naval muti- 
nies of 1 797, the bells were struck as on the ships of other 
nations ; but in one of these mutinies the signal agreed 
upon was the stroke of five bells, half-past six in the after- 
noon. When that signal came the mutineers rose to slay 
the officers. In the fight which followed, the officers 
upon one ship were driven over the starboard side, and 
the mutineers for a time were in possession of the craft. 
When order was restored throughout the navy the stroke 
of five bells in the second dog-watch was dropped from its 
place in sequence, although at all other times it is used. 
The stroke in the British navy for half -past six in the after- 
noon is one bell, at seven two bells, and half-past seven 
three bells ; but at eight it is eight bells. From that hour 
until the second dog-watch again, the sequence of strokes 
is the same as in our navy.” 

“ That is a singular way of keeping alive the memories 
of a mutiny.’’ 

“ It is still further remembered, if tradition is to be 
trusted, for the common practice in the British navy of 
having officers assemble on the port side of the ship, and 
men on the starboard, is also traced to the same cause. 
For nearly an hundred years the starboard side, whence 
the officers retreated before the mutineers, has been es - 
teemed disgraced, and only just now is the British navy 
returning to the custom of other navies, and making the 
starboard the ‘ dress ’ side of the ship. In our war 
vessels, and I suppose it is the same all over the world, 
the captain’s orderly keeps the time, and reports to the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


2 9 


officer of the deck the hour. The officer then bids the 
messenger of the watch to strike the bell. There is 
more formality at eight bells ; then the hour is reported 
to the captain, and the bell is not struck until he has said, 
‘ Make it so.’ When ships are cruising in squadrons, with 
a #stiff disciplinarian for admiral, the whole fleet, if lying 
in port, awaits the flagship’s bells, for that craft is the 
timekeeper of the fleet, and shortly before seven bells in 
the morning-watch a time signal is displayed by her. At 
exactly half-past seven this drops, the clocks on all the 
ships are set, and seven bells is struck throughout the 
fleet.” 

“ If I continue to learn at this rate I shall soon con- 
sider myself prepared for a position as midshipman at the 
very least,” Miss Dunham said, laughingly. 

“Then it would, perhaps, be best to get the whole of 
this lesson. When I am giving a lecture on bells, I don’t 
like to be cut out of any part of it.” 

“I won’t interrupt again,” was the mock - penitent 
reply; “but really, I thought you had finished.” 

“ When a ship carries a chaplain, the bell is tolled for 
service Sunday morning ; but is silent during a funeral. 
It is also the fire signal, except in action, when it is not 
used, lest the knowledge that there is a fire on board 
should throw the crew into a panic and distract the men 
from their business of fighting. The bell is employed by 
all nations, save the Turks, as a fog signal. When a ship 
lies at anchor in a fog, the bell is kept going with strokes 
in sets of threes, separated by a short interval. The 


130 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Turks, who have a distrust of bells, use drums for this 
purpose. The tolling for church, single strokes separated 
by a short interval, cannot be mistaken for the rapid, 
irregular fire-alarm, nor can either of these be confused 
with the triple fog signal. The time bells are different 
from any of these ; they are sounded in pairs with a short 
interval, and the odd number, if there is one, is sounded 
last.” 

At this moment Ben’s attention was attracted to some 
work which one of the men was doing in a slovenly man- 
ner, and, by the time he had called the first officer’s atten- 
tion to the matter, he was no longer in the mood for 
“lecturing.” 

Miss Dunham did not remain on deck many moments 
after this. When the young captain attempted to take 
up the conversation again, she could see his mind was 
on his vessel to the exclusion of everything else, and 
thought it best to go below, leaving Ben pacing the quar- 
ter-deck nervously, as if his very life depended upon 
taking a certain number of steps in a given number of 
minutes. 

Thursday morning found the little brig becalmed. 

When the captain had turned in, simply because fatigue 
of body forced him against his inclination, the wind was 
fined down to such an extent that he had every reason to 
expect it would soon die away entirely, and when he came 
on deck some of the men whose watch it was below 
were amusing themselves by trying to entice a murderous 
looking shark, which had been circling around the ship in 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


131 

search of prey, to swallow a fat piece of salt pork, with 
which a hook had been baited. 

“ If they catch that fellow it will put an end to this 
calm,” Mr. Bean said, as he saluted the young commander. 

“Any one could see that you didn’t come aboard 
through the cabin windows,” Ben replied, laughingly, 
“for nowhere, except in the forecastle, can a man be 
educated in the belief that a gale must avenge a shark’s 
death.” 

“Whether I got it forward or aft, I believe it just the 
same,” the first officer replied, decidedly. “ I have seen 
that saying verified too many times to doubt it.” 

“ Well, I hope at least a portion of it will come true in 
this case, for, besides needing a wind, there ’d be a chance 
to learn how much faith can be put in \t. They have 
hooked their fish, I see.” 

It was as Ben said. The shark had allowed himself to 
become fastened to the steel, and was now thrashing 
around at a lively rate trying to regain his liberty, while 
the sailors, not daring to pull him out by the head, were 
making every effort to get a slip -noose around his body, 
by which he might be hoisted on board. 

After fifteen or twenty minutes of reasonably hard 
work, their labours were rewarded, and soon the huge fish 
was hanging by the tail, while the men proceeded to 
wreak their vengeance on the man-eater for the possible 
injury he had inflicted upon others of their calling. 

With all at work, it was not long before the shark was 
dead, and when as many slices were cut from his body as 


132 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


the crew thought they could conveniently dispose of dur- 
ing the day, the remainder was dropped overboard, and 
the decks washed. 

“Now we’ve got an opportunity to test the supersti- 
tion,” Ben said, with a laugh, as old Eliphalet announced 
that breakfast was served, and Mr. Bean replied very 
positively : 

“Yes, sir, and before night we shall be scudding under 
considerably less canvas than we have got now.” 

“ It won ’t do us any harm to get a taste of something 
in the way of wind, although I don ’t fancy we should 
have to wait many hours even if the shark had not been 
killed. It is n’t likely a calm can last very long in 
October.” 

At that mopient not the faintest indication of a storm 
could be seen. The waters were as calm as a mill-pond, 
and the sky without a cloud. 

One of the steaks from the shark was served for the 
captain’s table, and Miss Dunham made merry over the 
first officer’s belief that the death of the fish must be 
avenged ; but neither she nor Ben considered the meat 
as anything of a luxury. There was too much in the way 
of fresh provisions on board yet for them to turn to 
shark’s flesh as a delicacy, and when the breakfast was 
concluded and old Eliphalet began to clear away the 
dishes, the young girl said, laughingly : 

“ We have left the fish for you, uncle. It did n’t seem 
right for us to eat too much while you are so fond of 
it.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


133 


“ Bress de Lawd, honey, yer old uncle wouldn’ tech 
that stuff more ’n he ’d hang hisself on de jib-boom.” 

“ Don ’t you think it is wholesome ?” 

“ Wholesome, chile? Can what’s been fed on dead 
men be good fur to eat ? I’se a gwine to go hungry 
a mighty long spell ’fore any ob dat stuff goes down 
my froat.” 

Then the old darkey toddled away to the galley with 
his arms full of dishes, and Ben, too anxious regarding 
the safety of his vessel, even though no danger threatened, 
to remain long in one place, went on deck. 

It was not necessary for Mr. Bean to wait many hours 
before he was able to say “ I told you so ” in regard to 
the weather. 

By ten o’clock in the forenoon the breeze had sprung 
up from the west, and the brig was again in motion ; but 
rolling uneasily in the swell from the southwest, which 
increased much more rapidly than did the wind. 

By the time he was putting the finishing touches to 
the food for dinner, old Eliphalet had quite as much as 
he could do to keep the pots and pans on the stove, and 
Ben, alarmed by this singular combination of a heavy 
swell and a light wind, consulted the barometer. 

“ It is falling,” Miss Dunham said, as she noted his 
occupation, “ and it seems as if Mr. Bean’s prediction was 
to prove true, in this case at least. I cannot understand, 
though, why the brig should pitch so terribly with nothing 
more than a fair sailing breeze.” 

“ We are probably getting the tail end of a hurricane,” 


34 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Ben replied, and then he hastened on deck to see that 
the vessel was snugged down for what he knew must be 
coming. 

When the noonday meal was served the wind had 
increased until it was necessary to call all hands to aid in 
shortening sail, and no one thought of eating dinner at 
such a time. 

At three o’clock the wind ceased almost entirely, and 
heavy banks of black clouds rolled up until the gloom 
was like that of twilight. 

“It’s coming now, and from a different quarter,” Mr. 
Bean muttered to himself as he listened for the captain’s 
commands. 

Ben remained silent and motionless, understanding that 
he was powerless at this moment, for everything possible 
had been done to prepare the little craft for the fury of 
the gale, and in which direction to look for the threatened 
danger no one could tell. 

One, two, three minutes of anxious suspense, and then 
the wind, which had been westerly, burst from the east 
with terrible fury, striking the brig dead ahead, catching 
all the sails aback, and bringing her up with a shock as 
if she had struck a reef. 

During what to the anxious ones seemed like many 
moments, the spars bent and groaned under the enormous 
pressure as if about to be splintered into fragments ; 
both Ben and the first officer sprang to assist the man 
at the helm in swinging the wheel hard over, and the 
brig began slowly to obey the rudder. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


35 


The enormous squares of canvas flapped and shivered 
with reports like the crackle of musketry, and then, with 
one thunderous reverberation, they filled again, and the 
brig gathered headway each instant until she was leaping 
over the foam-crested waves like a thing of life. 

Bounding madly onward into the gloom which could 
not be pierced by the vision, the little ship, now tossed 
high on the summits of the foam-crested waves, and again 
plunged into the yawning chasms of water, dashed on, 
her crew powerless to do anything save keep her dead 
before the angry blast which might not lose its fury until 
she was amid the cluster of islands to the southward of 
Formosa. 

The two hours which followed were for Ben full of 
anxiety and forebodings of evil. 

Was this, his first command, to be ended so shortly by 
the tempest’s blast ? 

Then the dense mass of clouds thinned away until the 
light of the sun could be faintly seen. 

The shrieking wind subsided almost as suddenly as it 
•had come, leaving in its stead the gentlest of summer 
breezes, and nothing remained of the tempest save the 
driven, leaping water which had literally been lashed into 
foam. 

“It was short and sweet,” Ben said, with a sigh of relief 
as he gave the order to put the ship on her course once 
more, “ and it ’ll take a good twenty-four hours to regain 
the ground we have lost by this smother.” 

“ It ’s a pity sailors could n’t have the privilege of order- 


136 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


ing the direction of the wind when they kill a shark,” Mr. 
Bean said, thoughtfully ; “ but if men will do such things 
they must take the consequences.” 

Ben laughed, as he could well afford to do, now that the 
danger was over. 

“ Do you still hold to it, Mr. Bean, that all this came of 
catching the man-eater ? ” 

“ It is as true as that you are standing here,” and then, 
as if unwilling to enter into any discussion on the matter, 
the first officer went forward to get the brig into proper 
trim once more. 

Miss Dunham ventured on deck, and Ben, feeling he 
had earned the right to give himself a few moments free- 
dom from care in the young girl’s society, joined her at 
the companionway. 

“ Mr. Bean may say what he chooses about the danger 
of killing a shark ; but I don’t believe it, even if it did 
come true in this case,” she said, laughingly, as Ben ap- 
proached. “ I ’ve seen a good many caught, but never 
did a tempest descend upon the murderers so quickly.” 

“ It is all nonsense, of course ; but every man Jack of the 
crew, from this time out, will swear that it is a fact. It ’ll 
be hard work to persuade either of them ever to throw a 
baited hook at a shark again.” 

“Well, now that we have paid the penalty for such 
dangerous sport, and are well out of the trouble, suppose 
we talk about yourself a moment,” said the young girl. 

“ If you can find anything in a forecastle hand lately 
come into the cabin, that will serve as conversation for 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


137 


such a charming bit of a sailor as you are, why drive 
ahead. I think it must be a pretty poor subject, myself.” 

“ Do you really mean that, or did you receive so much 
praise while at Hong Kong that you are hungering for 
more, and expect me to gratify your vanity?” 

“ If you are going to begin in that strain, perhaps it 
would be a good idea for me to see what I can do toward 
helping Mr. Bean crack on more sail,” Ben replied, with a 
laugh, as he made a feint of turning away, but yet had no 
intention of bringing the conversation to such an abrupt 
conclusion. 

“ Of course that was n’t it, at all ; but you provoked the 
reply by saying disagreeable things regarding a young man 
whom I consider a very good friend of mine.” 

“ If you ’ve started on that tack I shall be willing to 
stand here and listen to you all night, no matter what may 
come up in the way of sea dangers, for it makes me proud 
to have you speak of me as a friend.” 

“ There is no occasion for pride in anything of that sort ; 
it is my vanity which is flattered by such a state of affairs ; 
but now you see we are getting yet further from what I 
intended to speak about.” 

“ Put your helm hard down, then, and swing around to 
the true course.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir, here it is : Do you remember that you 
entirely neglected to feed the captain of this brig to-day 
at noon ? ” 

“ Well, yes, it seems to me I have an indistinct rec- 
ollection of something of that kind ; but then, bless your 


i3§ 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


dear heart, it does n’t make any difference. He ’s been 
without his regular grub too often to kick at a little thing 
like that.” 

“ There ’s no necessity of his depriving himself any 
longer. I told Eliphalet to make a dinner of the supper, 
and it is now very nearly ready, therefore I want you to 
leave Mr. Bean in charge of the deck for once, and come 
below. If I ’m not first mate of this craft, I insist on 
being chief mate, and, as such, have some little right to 
dictate even to the captain.” 

“ Bless your heart, you rank way above any one else 
aboard of this brig, and you must be obeyed, or it ’ll be a 
case of mutiny.” 

“ Then take very good care nothing of that kind happens, 
and send word to the steward that we are ready, after 
which you may come into the saloon with me.” 

“ It would be a precious poor skipper who would n’t 
allow himself to be bossed by such a chief mate, so I am 
entirely at your service until there ’s a change in the 
weather,” and Ben followed her into the saloon, thinking 
he was a remarkably fortunate chap in having such a pas- 
senger on board the first vessel he ever commanded. 

“It has been nothing but a streak of luck for me ever 
since I met you, and I begin to think there are such beings 
as mascots.” 

“ And you take me for yours ? ” 

“I wish to heaven I could,” Ben replied, fervently, and, 
not intending that construction to be put upon her words, 
the chief mate’s cheeks grew very rosy. 


CHAPTER X. 


A WATERSPOUT. 

T~\URING the six days which followed the very pleas- 
ant evening Ben spent in the cabin with Miss Dun- 
ham, he had little opportunity to talk with the young 
woman. 

Continual squalls with rain, and, now and then, elec- 
trical disturbances, are reported in each entry in the log- 
book ; therefore, as a matter of course, it was necessary 
the captain have an “eye out ” to all that was going on. 

Ben hardly left the deck during this time, even for his 
meals. 

He did not carry his excess of caution as a captain to 
the extent of absolutely depriving himself of food, but he 
more often took a hurried lunch, while standing in the 
open door of the galley, than in the cabin, and when Miss 
Dunham came on deck one evening, having been forced 
to remain below a week because of the weather, she said, 
as Ben advnaced to assist her up the companionway 
stairs to the lee of the house : 

“It has been so long since I have seen you, captain, 
that it seems as if we should be introduced to each other.” 

“You ought not to make any such remark as that, for 
I flattered myself, during the last opportunity I had of 


139 


140 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


spending a pleasant evening in the cabin, that we were 
becoming fast friends.” 

“ Still I am afraid if the weather had continued as bad, 
we should have been strangers to each other in a short 
time longer, regardless of how well we might previously 
have been acquainted. How many days is it since I was 
on deck, I wonder ? ” 

“Just seven. I know very well, for I have kept strict 
account, and this is really the first hour it has been fit for 
a lady to come outside.” 

“The sea is n’t running as high as I expected.” 

“ No, the squalls have been frequent, but not of such 
duration as to kick up much of a bobbery with the water. 
There has been more rain than wind, if you remember.” 

“ I don’t think I ever experienced quite such a long 
spell of bad weather at sea, without a regular gale at the 
beginning or the close.” 

“And we shall have one yet. So much disturbance 
means something in the way of dirty weather, but this 
night is as fair as the veriest fresh-water sailor could ask 
for, so we ’ll take advantage of it without troubling our- 
selves about what may be going to happen.” 

“ I hope, for your sake, it will remain fair until morning. 
I verily believe you have n’t been in your room during the 
last week, except to get an instrument or a chart.” 

“Well, I haven’t been there a great deal, that ’s a fact, 
and yet I ’ve contrived to turn in about as often as was 
necessary, although not very long at a time.” 

“ Are you getting things into shape where you can take 


A WATERSPOUT \ 


14 


a proper amount of rest, and depend more upon your 
officers ? ” 

“ Oh, yes ; they are both good fellows, and try hard to 
do their duty. What is more, they put up with my inter- 
fering better than I had any right to expect.” 

“ What about the crew ? ” 

“ On that point I cannot speak so encouragingly. The 
majority of them are fairly good sailors; some are a trifle 
sulky, and we’ve got a couple of Manilamen who would 
make trouble if they could, I fancy. There ’s one of 
them, now, standing under the lee of the galley. Not a 
very pleasant looking chap, is he ? ” 

“He certainly is n’t. I never did like that kind of a 
person.” 

“ Well, there are only two, so they can’t kick up much 
of a bobbery here, if we keep our eyes open, and, fortu- 
nately, with the exceptions I have made, the rest of them 
are A 1 men ; on the whole, I have no reason to com- 
plain. Bean is a perfect gentleman, and Rogers all one 
could expect.” 

Miss Dunham looked around the deck with the air of 
an experienced sailor, and, seeing nothing with which she 
could find fault, save the face of this one particular man, 
rather fancied the young captain was too ready to distrust 
certain of the crew because of his anxiety regarding the 
voyage. 

“ I never thought I should learn to distrust a sailor,” 
she said, thoughtfully; “but since the crew deserted with- 
out any cause, except, possibly, the fear of being punished 


142 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


when we should reach port, I have changed my mind in 
regard to them as a class. I now know they are not all 
gallant at heart.” 

“ There are a good many who can’t be counted upon 
under any circumstances ; but take Jack as a lot, and 
there are less scoundrels to be found in his ranks than 
among the same number of men ashore.” 

“ Don’t let us continue the subject. It carries me back 
to matters which had better not be thought of when every- 
thing around looks so peaceful. How luminous the sea 

is, ” she added, as a means of changing the topic of 
conversation.” 

“ I ’ve noticed for the last three or four nights that the 
water has been particularly bright, even during a rain 
storm. Do you believe that glow is caused by insects ? ” 

“ I don’t suppose any one absolutely knows, but the 
best theory I have heard is that the luminous substance 
is something which is thrown off as a secretion supplied 
by the glands of the animalcula, although a few natural- 
ists insist that it is caused by fatty degenerations in the 
tiny forms of life, the decomposed fat being the cause of 
the phosphorescence.” 

“ I have often wondered whether it was n’t something 
of the same nature as the composants, as the sailors call 

it, or St. Elmo’s fire ? We have had no less than three 
lights dancing around on the yard-arm at one time since 
this dirty spell came on. I fancied more than once that 
they dropped into the water, and on each occasion the 
phosphorescence appeared unusually luminous.” 


A WATERSPOUT. 


143 


“ But it is n’t anything of that kind,” Miss Dunham said, 
positively. “ I remember how thoroughly frightened I 
was at the first composant I saw, and father insisted on 
my studying the subject ; consequently, I ought to be con- 
versant with it, for I read of nothing else for a week.” 

“ Well, what did you make them out to be ? ” Ben 
asked. “ I ’ve heard as many different versions as I have 
seen sailors.” 

“ It is evidently of the same nature as the light caused 
by electricity, passing off from points connected with the 
electrical machine. You never see them unless the air is 
heavily charged with electricity. Sailors in the olden 
times believed that these balls of light on the spars of 
their vessels were signs that they had nothing to fear 
from the storm, and hailed their appearance with delight 
instead of terror, as some of the mariners do nowadays.” 

“Then you are quite certain they are no relation to 
phosphorescence ? ” 

“ Oh, that is beyond question. The sea is more often 
luminous in fair weather than foul, while St. Elmo’s fire 
is never seen except when there is a storm gathering.” 

“ I never took any stock in the superstitions of the 
sailors ; but there is certainly something uncanny looking 
about those balls of light dancing back and forth without 
any apparent cause.” 

There was very little opportunity for extended conver- 
sation. Although the evening had promised so fair, 
while Miss Dunham was describing to Ben a form of 
phosphorescence she had once seen, which caused the 


144 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


waves to appear the colour of milk, a squall came up almost 
without warning, and she was forced to seek shelter in the 
cabin again. 

“ It seems as if I had hardly gotten on deck,” she said, 
when Ben helped her below. “ I hope this weather will 
settle down into something pleasant soon, for it is dis- 
agreeable work remaining in the cabin alone, listening to 
the noises which come with every roll and plunge of the 
ship.” 

“ It must be, and I wish I could stay with you ; but, of 
course, you know, my place is on deck.” 

“ I don’t ask for anything of that kind, captain. It 
would be sheer torture to you, if you were forced to 
remain below during heavy weather. I was n’t intending to 
complain ; but simply exercising a woman’s right to find 
fault at any or all times.” 

“You surely ought to be allowed to do that, you’ve 
been so patient,” Ben replied, and then it was necessary 
to shut the companionway door, for the rain was descend- 
ing in torrents. 

The night which followed was what a sailor would call 
a “ dirty one ” in every sense of the word, and not till 
the steward announced that breakfast was served did the 
young captain have an opportunity of going below. 

“ I fancy you will come on deck to-day,” Ben said, as 
Miss Dunham emerged from her room in obedience to 
Eliphalet’s summons. “ It is fair now, therefore you 
had better take advantage of the opportunity ; besides, 
there is a three-masted schooner in sight, which we shall 


A WATERSPOUT. 


45 


likely speak about noon, and you ’ll want to be on hand 
then.” 

“ If I have the same good fortune I have had for the 
past week, it will begin to rain as soon as I show my nose 
outside,” the young girl said, laughingly ; “but I ’m going 
just the same, and intend to remain, no matter how hard 
it storms.” 

“You must not take any chances. If the squalls come 
as lively as they did last night, I shall insist on your going 
below.” 

“ And I have an idea that we have n’t seen the last of 
them,” Mr. Bean, who had just entered the saloon, added. 
“Things look altogether too smooth to suit me, and it 
will stand us in hand to keep our weather eyes lifting dur- 
ing every hour of this day.” 

Old Eliphalet, who had just brought some of the food, 
looked at the first officer in an injured way as he made 
this prediction. 

The steward had certainly had a very hard time of it 
during the succession of squalls. More than once had he 
lost the greater portion of a meal while bringing it from 
the galley to the cabin, by reason of being overturned in 
crossing the deck, and he had just been congratulating 
himself that they would have a spell of fine weather, when 
he heard the mate’s remark. 

He did not venture upon any reply, for he had been at 
sea long enough to understand that, however familiarly 
the officers might treat him while in port, they would 
allow no more freedom on his part while under way than 


46 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


they would from the sailors ; therefore he remained 
silent, and Miss Dunham gave full rein to her mirth as 
she saw the old fellow return to the kitchen with the most 
woebegone expression of countenance. 

After the morning meal had come to an end, Miss Dun- 
ham, with the young captain’s assistance, made herself 
comfortable on deck in a lounging chair, and, during an 
hour or more, Ben allowed himself the great pleasure of 
engaging her in conversation, apparently giving up, for the 
first time since leaving port, all forebodings of the possi- 
ble result of the voyage. 

The vessel which had been spoken of was hardly more 
than a faint smudge upon the horizon when the young girl 
came on deck, and the wind was so light that not until 
after the captain had taken his observation at noon could 
she be distinctly seen with the naked eye. 

Not nearly as majestic looking as a ship did the 
schooner appear as she bore down upon them with every 
inch of canvas spread ; but sufficiently beautiful to excite 
the admiration of all hands. 

She was so near at dinner-time that the meal was eaten 
hurriedly, and when the brig’s company came on deck 
again the stranger was hardly more than two miles distant, 
her white sails gleaming against the deep blue of the sky 
like spheres of ivory, glistening white. 

The wind had fined away until it was almost a perfect 
calm, and one was forced to gaze long and intently be- 
fore being positive the stranger was making the slightest 
headway. 


A WATERSPOUT. 


147 


Singularly fine was the weather ; wonderfully clear the 
sky ; the air calm ; the temperature in the vicinity of the 
Progressive Age noticeably high, when, suddenly, without 
the slightest warning, the sea between the brig and the 
schooner, and distant from the former perhaps a mile and 
a quarter, became agitated, boiling up from the surface as 
if forced by some submarine explosion. Then it leaped 
upward until the spectator could hardly decide whether 
the waves ascended, or a column had formed from the 
thin, white cloud, which suddenly descended, and one 
could not have counted more than five before a great 
pillar of swirling water started in a direct line toward the 
almost motionless schooner. 

“ A waterspout!” Ben shouted. “That craft is 
doomed ! ” 

For the briefest interval of time he stood as if trans- 
fixed with horror, his hand unconsciously resting upon 
Miss Dunham’s shoulder, where it had fallen when he 
attempted to direct her gaze toward the terrible but fasci- 
nating sight. Then the sailorly instinct within him was 
awakened, and he cried, hurriedly : 

“ Order the boats lowered away, Mr. Bean ! Those 
poor fellows will need help from us mighty soon, unless 
something wonderful happens to prevent the catastrophe.” 

The young girl could not trust herself to speak. With 
dilated eyes, and lips parted before the quick breath which 
came in gasps, she watched the awful spectacle. 

There was absolutely not a breath of wind. 

Those on board the apparently doomed craft could do 


148 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


nothing to avoid what appeared almost certain destruction, 
and the watchers from the brig saw that each man was 
standing like a statue, awaiting the fate which was evi- 
dently about to overtake him. 

The time of suspense was short. 

Before the brig’s boats could bfe lowered, although the 
first officer gave the command as soon as he received it 
from the captain, the column of water struck the schooner 
well forward, apparently burying her beneath the waves, 
and, bursting into a flood of spray, hid all that section of 
the sea from view of the spectators. 

“ She ’s gone ! ” Ben exclaimed, and Miss Dunham 
clasped her hands in an agony of apprehension. 

The words had hardly been spoken before the schooner 
bounded upward as if she were a living thing struggling 
to escape the clutches of some marine monster, and it 
seemed as if she literally shook herself to throw off the 
weight of water; but she was no longer the trim, jaunty 
craft of a few seconds previous. 

She rolled and tumbled in the boiling sea, herself the 
centre of a circle half a mile in diameter, wherein the 
water foamed and tossed as in a whirlpool, with the fore- 
mast snapped off close to the deck, its gear bringing 
down in the fall the main-topmast, and carrying away the 
jib-boom. 

The raffle of spars and rigging alongside were being 
thrown against the hull with such force that the resound- 
ing blows could be heard distinctly on board the brig, and 
the schooner’s crew were seen frantically endeavouring to 


A WATERSPOUT. 1 49 

clear away the wreckage before the timbers of the craft 
should be stove. 

During all this time not a breath of air could be felt by 
those on board the Progressive Age , and yet the wind was 
circling around the wreck with a force so great as to cause 
the bellying canvas to give forth thunder-like notes, while 
it was being swayed first this way and then that. 

“The boats are ready, sir,” Mr. Bean reported. 

“Very well. Hold them alongside. It would be use- 
less to make an attempt at boarding untiLthat white squall 
passes off. I hardly think there is any necessity of our 
paying them a visit ; but it seems neighbourly to enquire 
if we can lend a hand.” 

“Are you going to leave the brig, captain?” Miss 
Dunham asked, anxiously. 

“Not a bit of it. Mr. Bean will take charge of the 
boats,” and then, turning to the first officer, Ben added, 
“ Six men will be enough for you. If they are in need 
of assistance, stand by, and send a couple of men back to 
report to me. If not, you may return at once, for I fancy 
we shall get wind enough now to satisfy all hands.” 

Five minutes later the long-boat and the captain’s gig 
were being rowed swiftly across the intervening space of 
water, and Ben and the young woman saw the first officer 
as he arose to hail when approaching the schooner. 

Then came a short delay, during which he was evidently 
in conversation with the captain of the craft, who was 
talking with him from the quarter-deck, and, shortly after, 
both boats were headed for the brig. 


50 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I am glad Bean was n’t needed,” Ben said, half to 
himself. “There ’s no telling how soon we shall get the 
wind again, or from what quarter it may come, and I 
should have felt mighty uncomfortable if he had gone 
aboard for five or six hours’ work.” 

“ Will they be able to repair the damage so as to get 
into port ? ” Miss Dunham asked, for the schooner 
looked to be thoroughly a wreck, even though the injury 
received was by no means as great as might have been 
expected. 

“ Yes, indeed ; that is n’t much of a job with a full crew. 
They ’ll soon be able to get head sails on to her, and work 
up toward port in pretty good shape, unless they strike 
heavy weather. The captain of that craft will never 
come as near death again without meeting it, as he did 
when the waterspout headed straight for him.” 

“ I thought the schooner and all on board were 
doomed,” Miss Dunham said, with a shudder. 

“And I reckon they were of the same opinion. It 
had an ugly look for a few moments. Well, Mr. Bean?” 
he added, as the boats came alongside. 

“ The schooner Shooting- Star , Captain Hardy, from 
Australia for Hong Kong, sixty-one days out. His com- 
pliments, and he thanks you for offering assistance, but he 
has crew enough to patch the hooker up into decent 
shape. There’s a spare spar aboard that he ’ll rig for- 
ward, and counts on the weather holding as it is for six 
or eight hours at the least.” 

“ Very well, come aboard, sir, and you may get the light 


A WATERSPOUT. 


15 


canvas in. It won’t do any harm if we are snugged down 
a bit to meet whatever is coming.” 

It looked odd to see the crew shortening sail in a dead 
calm ; but it was a precaution almost any captain would 
have taken, and Ben watched the men at their work until, 
in his opinion, the little brig was ready to meet any vagary 
of weather which might arise. 








CHAPTER XI. 

THE TYPHOON. 

B EFORE nightfall the scene had changed very 
decidedly. 

The calm was succeeded by a dismal downpour of 
rain which brought with it only so much wind as would 
enable the brig to keep steerage way on and ceased 
entirely for half an hour at the close of the day when 
the appearance of the sun attracted the attention of 
every one. 

It hung in the green clouds like a ball of fire, pre- 
senting a most singular and awesome appearance. 

The waves increased in violence until they were run- 
ning mountains high, and Mr. Bean said to the young 
captain, as the latter came out of the cabin after a hurried 
examination of the barometer : 

“ That waterspout was the sign of something worse 
to come, sir.” 

“ I can’t say whether it was a sign or not, but we 
are surely going to get all we need in the way of weather 
for a while,” Ben replied, looking very serious. “The 
barometer is falling steadily, and I never saw the clouds 
green but once before ; that was when we laid in the 


152 


THE TYPHOON. 


153 


thick of a typhoon for twenty -four hours, in the Enoch 
Train.” 

“Well, we are in good condition for whatever may 
happen,” the first officer said, cheerily. 

“ So far as the brig is concerned, that ’s a fact ; but 
we ’re getting well down toward the straits, and I would 
prefer to have more sea room.” 

Miss Dunham came on deck again wrapped in a mack- 
intosh, evidently determined to remain as long as possible, 
regardless of the rain, and interrupted the conversation 
by asking : 

“How will it fare with the Shooting Star if we have a 
heavy tempest ? ” 

“What makes you think we need expect anything of 
the kind ? ” 

“ Your face would tell the story if there was nothing 
more ; but don’t you fancy I can read the barometer and 
see the angry appearance of the clouds and the ocean ? ” 

“ That was rather a foolish question of mine, I ’ll ad- 
mit, and I am afraid it will be impossible to answer yours. 
The schooner is in a bad way to meet heavy weather ; 
but if, as I fancy, we are going to have a typhoon, he ’ll 
have a chance to work himself well up toward port, for 
they generally give forty -eight hours’ notice of their 
coming.” 

“ I reckon we shall catch it sooner than that, sir,” Mr. 
Bean suggested. “ It ought to be here within twenty- 
four hours after the sea gets up in this way.” 

Ben was doing his best not to appear disturbed in mind 


154 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


while the young lady was on deck ; but in this he did not 
succeed very well. 

Miss Dunham understood that he was anxious, as well 
he might be, and soon she was looking quite as troubled 
as either of the officers. 

After remaining on deck an hour or more, Miss Dun- 
ham realised that it would be better for her to go below. 
Both Ben and the first officer were evidently ill at ease, 
but trying to repress their feelings in her presence, and 
assuming the cheeriest tone possible under the circum- 
stances, she said, as Ben went toward the companionway, 
for the purpose of looking at the barometer again : 

“ I think I ’ll go with you, captain, if you will help me 
down the stairs. Perhaps it is as well that I should be 
below out of the way.” 

“ It will be safer, at all events,” Ben said, not intending 
to allow the relief which he felt to be apparent in his 
tones. It is impossible to decide just when the storm 
will burst, and we shall probably have our hands full 
when it does come. I am selfish, however, in thinking 
only of myself, for I know how lonely it must be for you 
down here alone.” 

“ There is no reason why you should think of me at all. 
You have enough on your mind without anything like 
that. But give the little brig all the credit that is due 
her ; I am positive she will ride out anything which may 
come, in safety, for I have seen her too many times in a 
storm to have any distrust of her sea-going qualities.” 

“I do n’t trouble myself about that ; in fact, there is 


THE TYPHOON. 


155 


no particular reason why I should be disturbed, except, of 
course, that I am a green hand at playing captain, and, as 
you suggested yesterday, am apt to magnify trifles.” 

This was said with an ill-assumed air of gaiety, and after 
another look at the barometer, which was still falling, Ben 
bade the “chief mate” good night, as he ascended the 
companionway stairs. 

During the entire night Ben remained on deck, watch- 
ing the heavy masses of clouds which seemed to be break- 
ing in every direction, and in her room, able to judge only 
from the movements of the vessel as to what might be 
going on, Miss Dunham kept her watch, fancying with 
each plunge of the little brig that the threatened storm 
had finally burst upon them. 

Although so long anticipated, the typhoon came when 
it was least expected. 

Two hours after sunrise the wind burst upon them in 
furious gusts, and instantly the buoyant craft was battling 
with the waves which oftentimes completely submerged 
her. 

All hands, with the exception of Miss Dunham, were 
on deck clinging to the life-lines, unable to do other than 
keep the brig before the furious blast, and, even with four 
men at the helm, this was not an easy matter, for the furi- 
ous waves, striking the rudder as the hull was uplifted, 
would break the grasp of the sailors, causing the wheel to 
swing completely around before it could be checked. 

Every movable thing on deck was washed overboard 
before fifteen minutes had elapsed. One of the boats 


56 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


was torn completely out of the davits and flung over the 
port rail like an egg-shell, and huge walls of water, rent 
and torn by the wind, enveloped the scene with an im- 
penetrable veil, so that fully one-half of the time it was 
impossible for the captain on the quarter-deck to see as 
far forward as the galley. 

To hold a conversation was out of the question, and, 
although standing close beside the captain, Mr. Bean 
vainly endeavoured to make his words heard. 

Fortunately, there were no orders to be given. There 
* was nothing that could be done, and, helpless, no matter 
what might happen, the young captain watched this bat- 
tle of the elements, realising, more forcibly than ever be- 
fore, how feeble is the strength of man when arrayed 
against the forces of nature. 

During another hour, the brig laboured manfully to bear 
her crew on in safety, tossed like a cork upon the waters 
and shaking off the weight which threatened to carry her 
to the bottom, as she rose gallantly after each blow to 
meet the enemy. Then the wind ceased, suddenly, dur- 
ing a space of time while one might have counted five, 
and, with a yet more furious gust than before, it literally 
pressed the little craft beneath the waves. 

At the same instant, there was a dull sound as of the 
rending of wood - work, reports like the discharge of 
cannon as the stays parted, and then the maintopgallant- 
mast was swept away like a straw, the foretopgallant- 
mast and jib-boom following almost as quickly as one can 
tell of the disaster. 


THE TYPHOON. 


15 7 


It seemed as if, with this deadly peril, Ben lost all fear ; 
there was a foe now confronting him, against which he 
could fight. 

The raffle of spars hanging over the port side was lifted 
by each succeeding wave, and hurled violently against the 
brig’s hull, every shock causing her to tremble and groan, 
as if she had struck a reef. 

No vessel ever built could withstand the violence of 
this conflict many moments, and remain uninjured. It 
was absolutely necessary the danger should be averted at 
once, or the voyage of the Progressive Age would be at 
an end before it had extended as far as the Straits of 
Sunda. 

It was impossible for any word of command to be 
heard, but every man on deck knew exactly what should 
be done, and, as Ben made his way forward by the aid of 
the life-lines, all, save those at the wheel, clustered around 
him. 

During the next two hours, the crew worked as men 
will for their lives, and, at the end of that time, the spars 
had drifted far astern, the violence of the tempest had 
subsided, and the little brig, so trim and jaunty a few 
hours before, now tossed on the storm-driven waters, ap- 
parently a helpless wreck. 

As soon as the more imminent danger had been 
averted, Ben took sufficient time to run below in order to 
speak with the young girl. 

He knew she must have heard the blows of the timbers 
upon the hull, and understood that she would fancy the 


i 5 8 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


danger to be greater than it really was, while alone in the 
cabin, unable to get the slightest information as to what 
was going on outside. 

He found her seated in one of the stationary chairs at 
the table, which was, in fact, about the only place where 
she could have remained many moments at a time, and, 
although she said not a word which gave a hint of her 
terror, the white face told, eloquently, of the fever of fear 
in her breast. 

“The worst is over,” he said, reassuringly, as, hardly 
conscious of what he did, he took her hand in his. “The 
worst is over, and, in a few hours at the longest, the 
typhoon will have become one of the things of the past.” 

“Did the brig strike a reef?” she asked, nervously, 
using every effort to prevent her voice from trembling. 

“No; the blows you felt came from alongside. We 
carried away both topmasts, and have just succeeded in 
getting clear of them.” 

“ Are we in any danger ? ” 

“ Not the slightest, and I hope you will believe what I 
say, for at such a time it would be worse than criminal to 
deceive you. We are neither in danger, nor will the mis- 
hap delay us very long. We can handle the craft as she 
is until arriving at Anjer, where everything will be put 
into proper trim once more. You must be thoroughly 
worn out trying to hold yourself in this chair. Can’t I 
persuade you to go into your room and lie down ? ” 

“ Listen ! ” she replied, holding up one hand. 

The brig had plunged into a chasm of the sea, and 


THE TYPHOON . 


59 


every timber was sending forth a shrieking protest against 
the involuntary leap ; the howling of the wind through 
the rigging could be heard more plainly below than on 
deck, and there was such a confusion of terrifying noises 
as would have caused alarm in the boldest landsman. 

There was no further need for her to explain to Ben 
why she could not go to her room, and, pressing her hand 
as if he would reassure her by his own courage, he said, 
hurriedly : 

“You know very well that I can’t remain here, but I 
will come back as often as possible. Trust to it that you 
shall learn instantly matters grow dangerous. I will keep 
you in ignorance of nothing. Until you see or hear from 
me again, understand that everything is going on with us 
as well as possible.” 

Then Ben, not daring to stay away from the deck any 
longer, hurried out, and the work of getting the craft into 
proper sailing trim once more was continued. 

The young captain had no idea of trying to repair the 
damage done by the typhoon, to any greater extent than 
that of “ patching up” the brig sufficiently to admit of 
her being sailed to Anjer, where would be found every 
facility for refitting. 

There was quite as much work as all hands could do 
during the forty- eight hours immediately following the 
tempest, and both the mates turned to with the men, 
understanding that Ben’s anxiety would continue to be 
almost overpowering until the little craft was once more 
in condition to battle with the elements. 


6o 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


During the greater portion of this time, it was abso- 
lutely necessary for Miss Dunham to remain in the cabin, 
owing to the heavy sea running, which rendered it a mat- 
ter of great difficulty to make one’s way across the decks. 

Ben visited her often, but did not stay below many 
moments at a time. 

She understood full well how concerned he was regard- 
ing the repairs, and insisted that he should not give her 
a thought until matters were in better shape. 

“I shall get along very well,” she said cheerily, “and 
my loneliness is no harder to bear than your anxiety. 
Do not think it is necessary to come here every few 
moments.” 

“ It is almost brutal to leave you alone in the midst of 
these nerve-racking noises,” Ben replied, as the timbers 
gave forth an unusually loud protest against the blows of 
the waves. “ The moment it is safe to venture on deck 
I will attend to it that you are in a position to see what 
is going on.” 

“Don’t pay any attention to me,” she repeated, bravely, 
and this putting aside of her own troubles in order to 
ease his mind caused Ben to reproach himself more 
severely than before at leaving her alone so long. 

Twenty-four hours later the young girl was snugly 
ensconced in a sea-chair to leeward of the house on the 
quarter-deck, and there she remained the greater portion 
of the hours of daylight until the anchors were down 
once more. 

It was on the second day after this that the brig 


THE TYPHOON. 


161 

arrived off Anjer, a seaport town of the Dutch East 
Indian island of Java, situated in the Straits of Sunda, 
eighteen miles west of Batavia. 

Here a week was spent putting the brig into proper 
trim, and during this time Ben took occasion to overhaul 
the supply of water, the stowing of which he had entrusted 
to one of the ship-keepers on the day he went from Macao 
to Hong Kong. 

It was found that less than half the casks were filled, 
and the second mate was sent ashore with a party to take 
aboard such a quantity as he considered necessary for the 
voyage. 

This work was concluded on the same day the brig was 
ready for sea once more, and, as a matter of necessity, the 
water was stowed on deck. 

The entry on the log-book Thursday, November 22d, 
reads as follows : 

“ i A. M. Got under way, and commenced working down the 
Straits in company with ships Tarolinta and Star King of New 
York, also an English ship and bark. Light, variable airs and 
squalls.” 

In the remainder of the entries up to the nth day of 
March there is nothing of especial interest to recall. 

The little brig was traversing the oceans as rapidly as 
could be expected, and matters progressed to the entire 
satisfaction of the young captain, who was now growing 
accustomed to the responsibilities of his position, there- 
fore, as a natural consequence, less inclined to worry 
about trifles. 


62 


THE BOY CAPTAIA. 


As a matter of course he and Miss Dunham had grown 
to be fast friends, thrown so constantly in one another’s 
company, and with almost identical interests, for the 
young girl was as eager the brig should be brought safely 
into port at the conclusion of her father’s last voyage 
as Ben was to make a successful record on his first 
command. 

The next entry in the log-book which has any especial 
interest, and from which dates the most serious trouble 
Ben ever had, or has since known, is as follows : 

“Tuesday, December nth. 

“This day commenced like the preceding: A dead calm and 
a heavy sea, with the brig tumbling about badly. 3 p. m. Two of 
our largest water -casks burst, and we lost about three hundred 
gallons of water. Lat. 25. 54 S. Long. 64. 34 E.” 

From this time until the Cape of Good Hope was 
reached, the record consists almost wholly of accounts 
of heavy weather, and on New Year’s day, after an 
unusually elaborate dinner had been served both forward 
and aft, old Eliphalet asked for permission to speak with 
the captain. 

It was the second mate who brought the word to the 
quarter-deck, and Ben, fancying the steward was about 
to act as spokesman for the crew in proffering a request 
for a half - holiday, went to the galley fully decided to 
grant any favour which might be asked. 

One look at the old darkey’s face was sufficient to 
convince him, even before anything had been said, that 
something serious was on Eliphalet’ s mind, for he very 


THE TYPHOON. 


163 

ceremoniously beckoned the young captain to enter, and 
then closed the door immediately, as if afraid of being 
seen by some one of the crew. 

“What’s the matter, uncle. Haven’t been finding 
any more ghosts around the brig, have you ? ” 

“ It was n’ dat, sah, it was n’ dat. I done sen’ fur to 
arsk youse to cum hyar, kase I don’ hoi’ to it de mates 
oughter know what I ’se gwine fo’ to tell you.” 

“ Well, cut it short, uncle, let ’s hear the trouble at 
once.” 

“It am de water, sah.” 

“ The water ! ” Ben cried, now beginning to grow 
alarmed. “ What ’s the trouble with that ? ” 

“ Dare ain’ ’nough ob it ter trubble much ’bout, sah. 
Dem gallons wha’ didn’t git busted in de cask hab done 
gone leaked away till dere ain’ more’n hun’red an’ fifty lef’.” 

“ What ? ” and Ben’s face grew pale. 

“ It am de solum trufe, sah, I’se jes bin habin’ er 
’vestigation ob it mysef, sah, dis yere mawnin. Fust off 
I was gwine to cum straight to you, sah, an’ den it popped 
inter my min’ dat ef de crew shoul’ see de captin foolin’ 
wid de casks, dey mought get skeery like.” 

“You are right, uncle. Not one of them must know 
anything about it. There ’d be the very mischief to pay 
if they thought there was danger of going on short allow- 
ance.” 

“ But dey knows it now, sah, leastways, two ob ’em does. 
Dey was foolin’ ’roun’ an’ dat’s what set me to sperimentin’.” 

“ Fooling around ! Who were ?” Ben asked. 


164 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“Dem yeller ones wha’ you call Manilermen, an’ I lays 
dey’s ’bout de same as de pirates wha’ tried to cum aboard, 
but couldn’t.” 

“The Manilamen fooling around the casks, eh ? ” Ben 
said, half to himself, and then added in a louder tone : 
“Did you see what they were doing?” 

“No, sah. Fust off I ’lowed dey was layin’ dere sojerin, 
an’ den it kinder struck me all in a heap dat dey mought 
be wastin’ ob it, so ’bout dinner time I made de ’vestiga- 
tion, an’ its trufe I’se tellin’ ob you, sah, dere ain’t more ’n 
er hun’red an’ fifty gallons.” 

“ Keep this thing to yourself, Eliphalet, until I decide 
what is to be done. There won’t be any harm if you have 
an eye out on those Manilamen. Don’t go to following 
them around, of course, but just make it your business 
to see what they do while on deck, and there must be 
no report made to me in the cabin where Miss Dunham 
might hear you.” 

“Dere’s no danger ob dat, sah. De missy nebber’s 
gwine to git it frum me dat dere’s any wrong goin’.” 

“But there isn’t, uncle,” and now Ben realized that it 
was quite as necessary to allay the fears of the steward, as 
to prevent the men from understanding the true condition 
of affairs. “ We shall run in for water, of course, as soon 
as possible, and it will only result in our being delayed a 
little, that ’s all.” 

“ It ’s gwine to be a mighty quick run we’se boun’ to 
make, sah, ’less we goes on short ’lowance,” Eliphalet 
replied, gravely. 


THE TYPHOON. 


65 


“ Now do n’t get scary, uncle. Be as economical as 
you can ; I’ll see that the cabin allowance isn’t wasted, 
and, before there can be any necessity of depriving the 
sailors of all they may want, we shall have a fresh supply 
on board. Remember, not a word of this to anybody.” 

Then Ben walked slowly aft with sufficient on his mind 
to have caused a much older man the gravest apprehension 
and alarm, for a short allowance of water meant more suf- 
fering, possibly more danger, than a scarcity of provisions 
could ever have done. 


CHAPTER XII. 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 

B EN’S face showed his uneasiness of mind quite as 
plainly as had the steward’s, as he went aft and fell 
to pacing to and fro nervously on the quarter-deck. 

As a matter of course neither of his officers ventured to 
ask for any explanation ; but after he had continued his 
aimless walk for an hour or more, the cloud on his face 
growing darker each moment, Miss Dunham came on 
deck. 

Fearful of divulging his secret if he should allow himself 
to enter into conversation with her, he started below, as if 
going to his own room for a nap ; but before he could 
accomplish this purpose she called to him. 

If Ben had not known the young lady intimately he 
might have taken the chances his secret would not be dis- 
covered, and entered into conversation without hesitation ; 
but he had been acquainted with her sufficiently long to 
understand she would learn sooner or later what was 
troubling him, unless he was willing to keep her in sus- 
pense by refusing to make any explanation. 

Therefore he said as he joined her : 

“ If you want to have any talk with me, suppose we go 
below ? ” 


166 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE . 1 67 

‘‘That is exactly what I wish,” she replied, and, when 
the two were in the saloon, Ben asked : 

“ Is there anything in particular which you want to say 
to me ? ” 

“ If you do not know already, why did you ask me to 
come below, instead of waiting on deck ? ” 

“ I thought we should be less likely to be disturbed 
down here.” 

“Yes,” she replied, gravely, “and you were also afraid 
something might be overheard. I want to know what 
trouble you have on your mind. You have shown that it 
is a very serious one, by not being willing to speak of it 
where either of the officers might hear you.” 

“ That ’s where you are making a mistake, I think,” 
Ben replied, doing his best to speak in a jovial tone ; but 
failing most signally. “ Of course there are many things 
to trouble a fellow aboard ship, and this is one which I 
would very much prefer to keep to myself, more especially 
since there is really no reason why any one else should 
know it.” 

“ But you promised I should be informed of everything 
that happened, captain,” she said, laying her hand lightly 
on his arm as if she knew it was a gesture, trifling in 
itself, which he could not resist. 

“ I suppose I shall have to tell you,” he said, as if 
vexed with himself for yielding so readily ; “ but it really 
seems too bad that you should insist on learning things 
which may cause annoyance, and cannot be avoided.” 

“ It is right I should know, since I am the chief mate,” 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


1 68 

she replied, with a look which disarmed Ben entirely, and, 
without further hesitation, he repeated to her what old 
Eliphalet told him. 

“And is such a matter nothing more than annoying 
to you?” she asked, gravely. “Do you fancy I cannot 
understand what the lack of water may mean ? ” 

“ But, really, it will be nothing more serious than our 
having to go on short allowance for a while, and the chief 
trouble is, that we shall be forced to put into St. Helena, 
in order to replenish the supply.” 

“ Will that mean much detention ? ” 

“ It should not be more than a couple of days at the 
outside.” 

“ And you were looking troubled about that ? ” 

“Yes,” Ben replied, hesitatingly. 

“ And why don’t you also say that it causes you consid- 
erable worriment because the Manilamen were seen in the 
vicinity of the casks?” 

“ Do you think there is anything suspicious in that ? ” 
Ben asked, quickly. 

“ Don’t you ? ” 

“ I hardly know what to make of it ; but we shall have 
an opportunity of finding out if there is any idea of mis- 
chief, for the old darkey can keep his eyes on the men 
without being suspected of watching.” 

“Then you already had suspicions strong enough to 
suggest such a thing to him?” 

“ I thought it would be a good idea to know if there 
was anything going on, and I ordered him to report to me 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 


69 


without your knowledge, for I did n’t intend you should 
be annoyed with anything of the kind. Now, however, 
since you know all about it, it would n’t be a bad idea for 
him to tell you all he may learn, instead of me, and the next 
time you see him alone you had better explain it to him.” 

The fact that Miss Dunham had shown no fear at the 
news caused Ben to feel that perhaps he had done right 
in making her acquainted with the exact state of affairs. 
It certainly was a relief to share his secret with some one, 
and much better she should be his confidant than either 
of the mates. 

“The men will understand that you intend to make 
land, as soon as the course is changed.” 

“ It will not be necessary to haul around any. We are 
laying as near for the island now as if we had intended to 
touch there from the time of leaving the cape. Since you 
have learned what you wanted to know, and I should go 
on deck, suppose you come above once more ? ” 

“ I am perfectly willing to do that if you will try to get 
rid of the troubled expression which is on your face. Any 
one can see something serious is occupying your thoughts, 
and if you intend to keep the officers in ignorance of the 
true state of affairs, it would be a good idea to look more 
cheerful.” 

“ I certainly ought to be able to go as far in that line as 
you,” Ben replied, with a glance of admiration. “ It does 
a fellow good to meet a young woman who can look at 
the sensible end of things, and I ’m a great baby if I can’t 
brace up after the example you ’ve set me.” 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


170 

“Well, so far as compliments are concerned, captain, 
I am greatly obliged to you ; but the flattery I don’t care 
so much about.” 

“ It was n’t flattery at all ; but downright truth, and 
I meant every word.” 

“Then come on deck, and profit by my example,” she 
replied, with a merry laugh, hurrying up the companion- 
way stairs, as if fearing the young captain was about to 
say something more personal. 

“I don’t wonder her father took her to sea with him,” 
Ben said to himself, as he stood watching the young 
woman an instant. “ A bit of a girl like her puts a deal 
of romance into a ship, and, if it was n’t for being forced 
to meet the owners, I ’d be willing to have this voyage 
continue indefinitely.” 

Ben was feeling very much better when he followed 
Miss Dunham on deck, and the two mates, who had 
decided between themselves that there was something 
“wrong with the old man,” came to the conclusion they 
must have made a mistake, for he was in as good spirits 
as before the steward revealed the true state of affairs. 

Not again during that day did Miss Dunham and Ben 
have an opportunity for a private conversation ; but on the 
following morning, at the breakfast-table, she gave him to 
understand, by a mysterious knitting of the brow when- 
ever he looked in her direction, that she wished to speak 
with him. 

Mr. Bean was eating breakfast, and Mr. Rogers would 

come below as soon as the first officer had concluded, 

4 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 


171 


consequently, some time must elapse before he could talk 
with her privately in the cabin, therefore, he said, with 
a careless air, as he arose from the table: 

“The weather is fine this morning, and it has been such 
a rarity during this voyage that you had better take advan- 
tage of it by coming on deck for a promenade with me. 
I feel like walking just now.” 

She accepted the proposition at once, as a matter of 
course, and, a few moments later, was clinging to his arm 
as they paced to and fro on the quarter-deck, waiting 
until they should be beyond hearing of the helmsman 
before broaching the important subject. 

“ Speak of what you have in your mind only while we 
are at this end of the deck, and be talking on some com- 
monplace subject when we approach the man at the 
wheel,” Ben said. “ Now tell me what you have heard ? ” 

“ Old Eliphalet whispered to me this morning, while he 
was preparing the breakfast - table, that last night in the 
port watch the Manilamen took two of the sailors over 
near the casks, and were evidently explaining to them 
the fact that the supply of water was low.” 

She was forced to stop a moment as they reached the 
helmsman, and then continued : 

“He says there can be no mistake about their purpose, 
for at the conclusion of the conversation one of the white 
men sounded the empty casks.” 

“ In that case our secret is a secret no longer, for every 
man Jack of them knows it by this time. I ought to 
have put those yellow scoundrels in irons without waiting 


72 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


for a pretext, and kept them between decks, when Eliph- 
alet first told me what he had seen. The mischief is 
done now, however, and I may as well tell Bean myself, 
for he will be sure to hear it from the men.” 

There was another pause in the conversation as they 
drew near the helmsman once more, and then Miss 
Dunham replied : 

“ Don’t you think it would be better, since we are 
certain the fact is known to some of them, that the men 
themselves learn it from you ? ” 

“ Would you have me go into the forecastle and make 
an explanation to my crew?” Ben asked, quite sharply. 

“ No, indeed, there ’s no necessity of that ; but if you 
should put them on short allowance, as must soon be done, 
no further explanations would be required.” 

“That is what I ought to have done yesterday. It 
seems as if I was no longer capable of deciding upon the 
proper course of action ; but then, you are to blame for 
that change in me.” 

“ How ? ” the young girl asked, curiously, looking up 
into his face quickly, and he answered, with a glance 
which caused her eyes to droop and her cheeks to flush 
ever so little : 

“ Because you have been such an efficient and charming 
chief mate that I have learned to depend upon you very 
much.” 

Before she could make any reply to this remark, which 
certainly savoured of flattery, Mr. Bean came on deck, and 
Ben beckoned for him to approach. 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 


17 3 


“ The steward reports that the supply of water is very 
low, sir,” the young captain said, when the first officer 
was near him. “We will allowance all hands, in the 
cabin as well as forecastle, to one quart per day.” 

“ Very well, I will attend to it,” Bean replied, promptly, 
and then asked, hesitatingly, “ May I inquire how low the 
supply is, sir ? ” 

“ The steward reports only an hundred and fifty gallons. 
I cannot fancy how it decreased so suddenly ; but you 
had better take good care that what is left cannot be 
gotten at by the crew.” 

Mr. Bean looked considerably puzzled, started to move 
away, and then, stepped back as if anxious to say some- 
thing ; but evidently thought better of it, for he turned 
again immediately to carry out the captain’s orders, and 
Miss Dunham said, in a low tone : 

“He has seen something suspicious in the movements 
of the crew, I am positive, and has been deliberating 
whether he should tell you or not.” 

“ I reckon it ’ll come out if he ’s got anything in his 
noddle. It is his duty to report the first show of dissat- 
isfaction or suspicious conduct on the part of the men, 
instantly he sees it ; therefore I prefer not to question 
him.” 

Two of the sailors were standing near the galley 
when Mr. Bean announced to the steward the captain’s 
orders relative to putting all hands on a short allowance 
of water, and in less than five minutes such of the men 
as were on deck could be seen conversing in couples here 


174 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


and there, as the opportunity offered, some evidently 
treating the matter as a not uncommon episode on ship- 
board, while others appeared highly dissatisfied. 

The Manilamen were particularly talkative at this time, 
and Miss Dunham, observing their movements, said, in a 
half whisper : 

“ I always think of snakes whenever I see any of that 
race of people, and am beginning to feel afraid more will 
come of this thing than simply inconvenience.” 

“Now, don’t fret your little head about them,” Ben 
said, half seriously. “ There won’t be any attempt at 
playing mutiny, unless, perhaps, those yellow scoundrels 
should try to influence some of the others ; but I ’ll 
answer for the white members of this crew.” 

Miss Dunham did not appear convinced that there was 
no danger to be apprehended ; but she forbore making 
any remarks on the subject, and, a few moments later, 
went into the cabin. 

As she disappeared, Mr. Bean approached the captain. 

“I was waiting for her to go, sir,” he said, “because 
she has had trouble enough in her short life, without our 
causing her anxiety which may be needless.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“ Does it strike you that the men are acting rather 
oddly in regard to the matter of putting them on short 
allowance ? ’ ’ 

“ I had n’t noticed anything, except it might be in 
regard to the Manilamen. They are dancing around like 
peas in a popper.” 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 


75 


“And have been doing a deal of that sort of work 
before this, sir. I ’ve had my eye on them for two or 
three days ; but there was absolutely nothing to report, so 
held my tongue. Now, however, I think it would be a 
good idea if we kept them well in sight.” 

“ I should have suggested that to you, if you had n’t 
spoken first,” and then Ben told him of Eliphalet’s report, 
concluding with the remark, “ I don’t really anticipate any 
trouble ; but, under the circumstances, I think it best to 
be too cautious rather than too careless in regard to them. 
The steward will be more likely to find out if anything is 
going wrong than we shall, and will report it at once to 
Miss Dunham.” 

“ Then she knows all the facts of the case ? ” Mr. Bean 
asked, and Ben had a very strong impression that the 
mate was questioning in his own mind whether the captain 
of the brig should not have confided in his officers before 
taking counsel with a young lady, however charming she 
might be. 

“Yes, I was literally forced to tell her. Old Eliphalet’s 
report troubled me not a little, and she pinned me right 
down to know what was the matter ; so I thought the 
truth would answer best in that case.” 

“ May I ask when you first learned of the disappearance 
of the water, sir ? ” 

“Yesterday.” 

Again the mate looked as if he thought he ought to 
have heard of the matter before ; but said nothing, and 
Ben asked : 


1 76 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“What did you see that attracted your attention to 
those yellow fellows ? ” 

“ It was n’t anything really definable, sir. I noticed 
they talked with first one of the men and then another 
privately, and were so careful to stop the conversation 
instantly I came near, that I resolved they would bear 
watching.” 

“ Do you think they had any part in the disappearance 
of the water?” 

“ I would give them credit for a willingness to do almost 
anything ; but can’t understand how they could be bene- 
fited by being put on short allowance.” 

The crew were taking notice of the fact that the cap- 
‘tain and his mate were indulging in rather a long conver- 
sation, and, under the circumstances, it was better there 
should be no opportunity for them to suspect the facts 
of the case were worse than had been stated, as Ben 
suggested. 

“ I think we had better separate, sir. The crew may 
fancy there is something more in the wind than a short 
allowance of water, if we talk too earnestly together. In 
case there is any mischief on foot, the slightest false move 
on our part would complicate matters.” 

Mr. Bean acted upon the suggestion at once, and, it 
being his watch below, retired to his room, leaving Ben 
decidedly more uncomfortable in mind than he had been 
since Eliphalet spoke to him. 

It was not that the scarcity of water troubled him so 
greatly, for the casks could readily be filled at St. Helena ; 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 


1 77 


and neither crew nor officers would suffer any serious 
inconvenience, since that island could be made, under 
ordinary circumstances, before the supply was entirely 
exhausted. 

Ben knew what it was to be on a short allowance of 
this precious liquid, and he also knew that, as a rule, 
sailors were not given to murmuring when such a condi- 
tion of affairs was made known, more especially if it could 
be attributed to an accident, as in this case ; but he felt 
very certain the bursting of the two casks would not in 
itself have so seriously reduced the supply. 

There had been mischief done by some member of the 
crew, and this was sufficient to cause the young captain 
the gravest apprehensions. 

The days passed without any open show of mutiny or 
discontent. 

The men performed their duties promptly, but not 
cheerfully, as had been their custom, and all the officers 
noted the hurried chats which were indulged in during 
any idle moments on deck. 

At least three times each day old Eliphalet had an 
opportunity, while making ready the meals in the cabin, to 
speak with Miss Dunham ; but he had nothing of impor- 
tance to communicate. 

He kept his eyes and ears open without hearing or see- 
ing anything in particular, save that, in his mind, the 
Manilamen appeared more bold, and seemed to have 
gotten the greater portion of the crew under their control. 

All this might have been his fancy, however, and so 


1 78 THE BOY CAPTAIN. 

Ben said to Miss Dunham when she related the conversa- 
tions ; but even while treating the matter as of no very 
great importance, he was decidedly more anxious than he 
would have been willing she should know. 

On the 10th of January the trade-winds were strong, 
with St. Helena bearing N. E. by N. 42 miles distant, 
when the brig was hauled around for the island. 

It was five o’clock in the afternoon when the course 
was changed, and there could be no question but that the 
mutinous members of the crew were perfectly satisfied in 
the belief that they were soon to come to an anchor. 

“ Those yellow scoundrels have got something in their 
heads which causes them to want to go ashore,” Mr. Bean 
said, as he and the young captain were pacing the quarter- 
deck with their “ weather eyes lifting,” for the wind was 
increasing, and the clouds beginning to look decidedly 
“ nasty.” 

“ The only purpose for which they ’d want to put into 
St. Helena would be to desert, and I cannot make out 
how that could help them any,” Ben said, half to himself. 
“ It would be a case of losing the wages due, and the 
island is n’t such a desirable place that men are usually 
willing to risk the punishment of deserting their ship for 
the sake of getting ashore.” 

“Well, there’s something of that kind in the wind, 
without any question. I believe the Manilamen wasted 
the water, and the only reason for doing that would be 
to force us to put into a port,” Mr. Bean replied. 

“ It would be a good idea to have your wits about you, 


ON SHORT ALLOWANCE . 


179 


when we come to an anchor, and see that no one goes 
ashore except those whom we feel positive can be trusted,” 
Ben said, and then a gradual change of the weather put 
an end to the conversation. “ Better furl the topgallant 
sails, flying jib and mainsail, and single reef the topsail,” 
he* added, a few seconds later. “ If this weather con- 
tinues as it threatens, it will be best to give St. Helena 
the go-by, and bear up for Ascension. I don’t want to 
spend too much time around here.” 

From that moment until nearly morning there was no 
opportunity for the members of the crew to hatch any 
mischief among themselves, for all hands were kept 
steadily at work. 

By midnight the wind was blowing considerably more 
than half a gale, and the sea was remarkably heavy. 

At three o’clock in the morning there were signs that 
the wind would soon fine down to a fair sailing breeze, 
and Ben turned in. 

Two hours later the first officer knocked at the door of 
his room. 

“ I set the mainsail an hour ago, sir,” Mr. Bean said, 
when he had been told to enter, “and we have just made 
land bearing south, fifteen miles dead to windward. Do 
you think it best to attempt to work in, sir?” 

Instead of deciding the question then and there, Ben 
arose, put on his boots and coat, for he had turned in 
“all standing,” and went on deck. 

The crew were watching the movements of the officers 
very intently, for they had not lost sight of the fact that 


8o 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Mr. Bean went below immediately land was sighted, and 
all understood what a long task it might be to work up 
to an anchorage. 

“ They are anxious to know what we are about to do,” 
Mr. Bean suggested, as Ben’s eyes involuntarily went 
toward his men. 

“ They shall soon be satisfied,” the young captain 
replied quickly, “ and so much the worse if it does n’t 
please them.” Then he added, in a louder tone, “You 
may fill away, Mr. Bean. Set the course nor’, nor’ west, 
and crack on all sail.” 

A moment later the mate began issuing the necessary 
commands, and there could no longer be any question 
but that the mutinously inclined members of the crew 
were not only disappointed, but thoroughly angry because 
the original intention had not been carried out. 

“ If we are going to have any trouble it ’ll come mighty 
soon, now,” Ben said to himself, as he began pacing the 
quarter-deck, watching for the signs of that storm of 
human passion which he had good reason to believe would 
soon break upon them. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


A DEMAND. 

TT was not necessary Ben should remain in suspense 
very long as to the true feeling of his crew. 

At seven o’clock the studdingsails were set, and when 
this work had been performed in an unusually slow and 
shiftless manner, one of the crew, he who had shipped as 
“Jolly Bart,” came slouching aft, with all the members 
of both watches at his heels. 

“ What is the meaning of this? ” Mr. Bean asked, 
before they were abaft the mainmast. 

“We want to speak to the captain, sir,” was the reply, 
in a surly tone. 

“ Why don’t you wait to ask permission ? ” 

“Well, because in the first place it would take too 
much time. Then, agin, he ’s got nothin’ else to do, an’ 
I reckon he can hear what we want to say.” 

As a matter of course Ben could distinguish every 
word, standing only a few paces away as he was, and, 
stepping forward to the break of the quarter, he asked, 
sharply : 

“ Well, what is it you want ? ” 

“ We ’ve come aft, sir, to find out if you ’ve made up 
your mind not to put into St. Helena ? ” 


lal 


82 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ If you are a sailor you know very well we are stand- 
ing on our true course again.” 

“ That ’s what I made it, sir, but me an’ my mates here 
think it ain’t treatin’ us right, seein’ as we ’re on a short 
allowance of water, to keep off when we’re so nigh a 
port. There ’s no knowin’ what may happen aboard a 
vessel in the shape this craft is.” 

“Now look here,” Ben replied, quickly, advancing a 
pace or two to show he was ready to face them all. 
“ There is no reason why I should make any explanation 
to you in regard to what is being done, yet I am willing 
to do so. It is my business to navigate this brig the best 
I know how, for the safety of all, and the owners also 
expect that we won’t soldier around any more than is 
absolutely necessary. You are not on such short allow- 
ance as I fancy every one of you have been many times 
before this, and we can make Ascension in four or five 
days without cutting the allowance any lower than it is 
now. There is no danger of suffering, and that you 
should know very well, since the young lady and the 
officers are in the same box with you.” 

“ But there ’s no tellin’ whether we ’ll be able to make 
Ascension. If the weather holds as we’ve had it since 
leavin’ the Straits, who can tell how the bloomin’ voyage 
is going to turn out ?” 

“ It is enough for you to know that I am not asking the 
crew to take any more chances than I ’m willing to take,” 
Ben said, turning at this instant, as Miss Dunham’s hand 
was laid lightly on his arm. Then he added to her in a 


A DEMAND , 


83 


low tone, “ This is no place for you; The men are turn- 
ing a bit rusty as we expected, and now, if ever, is the 
time to put them where they belong. Go below, and I 
will see you when this interview is ended.” 

“Please let me stay,” she said, imploringly. “You 
promised I should know what was going on, and now, if 
ever, is the time for me to be here.” 

Ben made no further remonstrance, and, taking her by 
the hand, faced the men once more as he said, sternly : 

“You are a fine crowd to call yourselves sailors, aren’t 
you ? A crowd to be proud of, standing up here and 
whining like curs, when this young girl is in the same 
box with us all, and has n’t so much as murmured be- 
cause she was put on an allowance of a quart of water per 
day.” 

“ It ’s all very well for them as lives aft an’ can have 
what they want, but Jack in the forecastle has to take 
what he can get. Besides, she has n’t been to sea long 
enough to know the meanin’ of sich things.” 

“She’s a better sailor to-day than you are, and prob- 
ably has seen as much life aboard ship as any of your 
cowardly crowd. Now go forward, and if I hear another 
word of complaint out of your heads, there’ll be trouble 
for all hands. I ’ve got more at stake in this venture 
than the whole of you put together, and am not taking 
any chances. There is no captain in the world who 
would not do exactly as I have done in regard to putting 
into St. Helena. You and I have rubbed along very well 
so far on this voyage, but don’t make the mistake of 


*■ 


184 


THE BOY CAPTAIN . 


thinking I sha’ n’t be on hand if you turn rusty, for I 
know my duty, and shall do it.” 

Bart held his ground as if thinking the men were close 
by him, but a shuffle of footsteps as the captain, dropping 
Miss Dunham’s hand, advanced threateningly, told that 
those who had been so ready to stand at his back a few 
moments previous were now deserting him. 

Even the Manilamen concluded that it would be best to 
obey the captain’s orders, on this occasion at least, and, 
without stopping to utter the words which were trembling 
on his lips, the spokesman of the party turned sulkily and 
slouched forward. 

“ Don’t say anything to me now,” Ben whispered to the 
young girl. “ It won’t do to let those fellows think we 
are disturbed in the slightest degree by what has been 
done ; therefore, take your promenade as usual until 
breakfast is served, and be careful not to hold a conver- 
sation with either of the officers.” 

Miss Dunham knew thoroughly well what could be 
accomplished by a bold bearing under such circumstances, 
and obeyed Ben’s orders, instantly, pacing to and fro upon 
the quarter-deck, with not a cloud on her face to show 
the disquietude in her mind. 

“ There ’s a woman for you ! ” Ben said, as he watched 
her, with admiration beaming from his eyes ; “ and if this 
voyage is ended successfully, it will be only for her to say 
whether she will continue to hold the position of chief 
mate over this skipper or not.” 

During the remainder of the day, nothing was seen to 


A DEMAND. I 85 

cause the young captain any suspicion that his men were 
meditating mischief. 

Acting upon his instructions, Miss Dunham had cau- 
tioned old Eliphalet to keep a sharper lookout than usual, 
but, when it came night, the steward had nothing of par- 
ticular interest to impart. 

“ It ’s jes’ like dey has done gone gib up hatchin’ mis- 
chief,” he said to the young girl, while he was laying the 
cabin table for supper. “ I specs wha’ de cap’n done say 
dis mawnin’ did a power ob good, an’ dem yeller scoun’- 
rels tink it won’t do to kick up er bobbery.” 

“ Have you seen them very often to-day?” Miss Dun- 
haru asked, referring to the Manilamen. 

“ Not sich a pow’ful sight, missy. Dey’s been on 
deck wid dere watch, ob course, but I don’ reckon dey 
had berry much ter say wid de men. It looks to yer ole 
uncle like as if all han’s got skeered wid de speechify in’ 
de cap’n gib ’em. Leastways, de yeller fellers has ’n 
been nosin’ roun’ talkin’ wid de res’ ob de crew, an’ when 
dey cum nigh de galley, bof ob ’em was mighty civil.” 

It was Mr. Bean’s watch below when supper was served, 
and the young girl repeated to both him and the captain 
the report made by the steward, saying, in conclusion : 

“ It does n’t seem as if there is much danger that you 
will have any trouble with the men, captain. Surely, if 
they were meditating mischief something would have been 
done before this.” 

“Yes, it stands to reason this morning was their best 
time, and I believe, with you, that there ’s no need to 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


I 86 

worry. Those Manilamen can’t have much influence 
over the majority of the crew, for, as a rule, white sailors 
don’t take kindly to coolies.” 

“ All hands appear to be very quiet to-day. There ’s 
less talking among themselves than I have seen since we 
left port,” Mr. Bean added, “and that ’s one thing I don’t 
like about the situation.” 

“What do you want?” Miss Dunham asked. “Would 
it please you better if they held whispered conversations, 
as they have been doing ? ” 

“ No ; but yet I object .to having them so unusually 
quiet. It is natural for a sailor to chat with his mates 
when there is nothing to be done, and these fellows are 
moonin’ around like ghosts.” 

“ Better that than getting off by themselves to hatch 
mischief,” Ben replied, and then the subject was dis- 
missed, for even Mr. Bean, despite his assertion that he 
did not fancy the general behaviour of the men, no longer 
thought there was danger of serious trouble, provided the 
brig put into Ascension. 

To all, appearances matters were in the pleasantest 
possible shape during the evening. 

At midnight the second officer came on deck to 
relieve Mr. Bean, and the latter reported everything 
moving smoothly. 

The greater number of those belonging to the first 
mate’s watch, whose time of duty had expired, were going 
toward the forecastle, the other men were turning out, 
and the two officers stood for a moment discussing the 


MR. BEAN WAS NOT VET WHOLLY DISABLED. 



















‘ 





















































A DEMAND . 


I 87 


question as to whether it might not be advisable to set 
the studdingsails, when, from the gloom near the forward 
cabin companionway, the two Manilamen darted. 

Both the officers were taken so completely by surprise 
that they did not have time to cry out, or even raise their 
hands, before the yellow mutineers had each dealt a blow 
with his keen Malay creese. 

Mr. Rogers sank to the deck like one who has received 
his death wound ; but Mr. Bean was not yet wholly dis- 
abled. His antagonist had been forced to strike at him 
across the body of the second mate, and, owing to this 
fact, the blow was a glancing one ; but he had received a 
knife thrust in the stomach which bid fair to prove mortal. 

Swinging himself around suddenly, nerved to despera- 
tion by the belief that his last moment had come, he 
struck out with sufficient force to send one of the Ma- 
nilamen spinning across the deck, and then, shouting for 
all true men to follow, he ran hastily into the cabin, fas- 
tening the companionway doors behind him as well as 
was possible in his excitement and haste. 

“ It is mutiny, captain ! Mutiny and murder ! ” he 
shrieked, and the words had hardly been uttered when 
Ben rushed from his room. 

“Who is it ? ” the young captain cried, for the saloon 
lamp was burning so low that objects could not be dis- 
tinctly seen. 

“ It is Bean, and done for, I guess. Look out for the 
other companionway while I arm myself ! ” 

Ben sprang to obey his subordinate’s command, and 


88 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


the latter started swiftly toward his room, but before he 
could gain the door was so enfeebled by the copious loss 
of blood that he sank an inert mass upon the cabin floor. 

By this time Ben had succeeded in fastening the doors 
and hatch, and Miss Dunham, with a loose wrapper thrown 
over her night-dress, came from her room, meeting the 
young captain just as he approached the fallen man. 

“ Leave me to attend to him,” she said, “ while you arm 
yourself ! There may yet be time to regain possession of 
the deck ! ” 

“ Don’t attempt it,” Bean said quickly. “ It must be 
that all the men in my watch are concerned in the plot, 
otherwise those villains would not have dared to make the 
attack.” 

“ Where is Rogers ? ” Ben asked. 

“ Dead, I think, sir. He fell as if he had received a 
blow in the heart. The Manilamen stabbed us both at 
the same moment.” 

At this instant shouts and screams could be heard from 
the deck, and Ben, with a revolver in each hand, ran to 
the after companionway, unfastening the doors as softly 
as possible. 

Then he made a sudden dash on deck. 

There was no one at the wheel, and the brig was run- 
ning fair before the wind with every inch of canvas draw- 
ing, as if instinct taught her to keep true to the course 
without a helmsman. 

“ This way, men ! ” Ben shouted at the full strength of 
his lungs. “ This way, all honest men ! ” 


A DEMAND. 


189 


The group of combatants near the forecastle hatch was 
all he could see, and to approach them single-handed would 
have been in the highest degree foolhardy; therefore he 
remained at his point of vantage waiting an opportunity 
to find a mark for a bullet, but not daring to shoot indis- 
criminately into the mass of struggling humanity. 

First one man and then another detached himself from 
the group, coming aft at full speed, and Ben, covering 
both with his revolvers to guard against possible treach- 
ery, saw that they were the sailors in whom he had most 
confidence among the crew. 

“ Go below ! ” he cried ; “ Miss Dunham will find weap- 
ons for you ! Get back here as soon as possible ! Our 
lives depend on it ! ” 

Then two others came quickly aft, one armed with a 
handspike, and the other with what appeared to be a naked 
knife. 

They ran swiftly as if fearing for their lives, and then, 
apparently without any deliberation, one approached either 
side of the house. 

“ Look out there ! ” Ben shouted, warningly, raising 
both his revolvers. “ This is no time to come in such a 
fashion, without telling who you are. I don’t propose to 
be caught between the two of you.” 

“ It may be death to stop for explanations,” the fellow 
on the port side cried, Ben recognizing the voice as that of 
one of the men toward whom no suspicions had been 
directed ; but the sailor on the starboard hand remained 
silent. 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


190 

The young captain turned quickly to face the latter, as 
he shouted : 

“ Hold on there until I know who you are ! ” 

The man stopped, raised both hands in token of sub- 
mission, and Ben was in the act of moving forward in 
order to peer into his face, when it was as if he heard 
the sound of a heavy crash. Bright lights danced before 
his eyes, and all was silence. 

The fellow on the port side had dealt the captain a 
crashing blow with the handspike, and, fortunately, the 
force had been so great as to send him headlong into the 
cabin. 

Miss Dunham had just started toward her room to find 
bandages, in the hope of stanching the blood which was 
pouring from Bean’s side, when Ben fell. 

She understood instantly what had occurred, and, with- 
out waiting to ascertain the extent of the young captain’s 
injuries, darted up the companionway, pulling the doors 
inward just as a gleaming knife flashed past her head, 
burying itself in the combing of the hatchway beneath. 

She took no heed of the danger to which she had been 
exposed, but said to herself triumphantly as she made 
certain the fastenings were secure : 

“They can’t get in by this way without considerable 
work,” and then she turned her attention to the uncon- 
scious commander of the brig. 

There was no show of blood, and Mr. Bean’s danger 
was greater than the captain’s, therefore, leaving Ben as 
he had fallen, she kept on to her room for the bandages, 


A DEMAND. 


91 


not forgetting while there to arm herself with the revolver 
she had previously used with such good effect at the Island 
of Nampang. 

“ Is the captain dead ? ” Mr. Bean asked, tremulously, 
as she began hurriedly to bind up his wounds. 

“ God forbid ! He has evidently been struck on the 
head, and it was fortunate the blow sent him inside the 
cabin instead of leaving him on the deck for the murderers 
to throw overboard.” 

“ Don’t attend to me ; but look out for him.” 

“ Your necessities are greater than his just now. The 
flow of blood must be checked at once. Can’t you tell 
these men what to do toward defending us ? ” she added, 

4 

referring to the two sailors who had taken refuge in 
the cabin, and were now standing irresolutely beside the 
injured mate. 

“ Bob, you and Sam overhaul the captain to find a couple 
of revolvers on him. Each take one, and then stand by the 
companionways in case there is an attempt made to break 
in. How many of the men are engaged in these murders ? ” 

“ I don’t know, sir,” Bob replied. “ It came to me 
about as sudden as it did to you. Them coolies made 
some talk a week ago, insisting the brig should put into 
St. Helena; but they never said anything more to either 
Sam or me.” 

“ Do you think all hands but you two were in it ? ” 

“No, sir. Poor Freeman wasn’t, for he got the same 
kind of a knife-thrust you did, and the first I knew of the 
trouble was when they dropped him over the rail.” 


192 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


It was not possible for Bean to continue the conversa- 
tion. The loss of blood had made him so weak that to 
speak even these few words was an exertion too great for 
his strength, and Miss Dunham insisted on his remaining 
silent. 

“ I can tell you all we know, sir,” Sam said, understand- 
ing that it was imprudent for the mate to waste the little 
remaining strength he had ; but realizing that the facts of 
the matter should be understood as soon as possible. 
“ Bob and I were just coming from the forecastle when the 
coolies chucked Freeman overboard; he didn’t make any 
noise, so I reckon was pretty nigh done for by the first 
blow. I picked up a spare pump-handle that I ’d seen lay- 
in’ alongside the forecastle hatch, an’ turned round in time 
to knock Jolly Bart down as he struck at Bob. The un- 
lucky part of the whole business is that I did n’t kill the 
villain. Then one of the coolies come up an’ made a pass 
at me, jest as Bob got his back agin the foremast, an’ in 
less time than it takes to tell it the whole crowd was on 
us. We heard the captain’s order, an’ got aft pretty 
lively.” 

“ Do you think you two and Freeman were the only 
ones who remained true?” Miss Dunham asked, her voice 
as firm as if it had been some commonplace question. 

“ I would n’t like to say so, miss ; but now I think the 
matter over, it seems as if pretty nigh all of ’em, but us 
three, had a hand in it, except the nigger, an’ I reckon 
he ’s layin’ low in his berth, skeered mighty close to death. 
You see — ” 


A DEMAND. 


193 


There was a crashing of glass, and an iron belaying-pin 
came hurtling through the skylight, striking the table, 
within a short distance of where Bob had been standing, 
then rebounding through the panels of the captain’s 
room. 

“ Get out of range, or they ’ll soon be able to knock 
every one of you over,” Bean said, feebly; and Miss Dun- 
ham motioned for the men to carry the wounded mate to 
a place of safety, while she, regardless of the enemy who 
might be taking aim at her, deliberately lowered the flame 
of the lamp. 

Then, her duty, so far as the mate was concerned, 
being ended, she turned her attention to the unconscious 
captain. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


BESIEGED. 

B EN did not long remain unconscious after the young 
girl began bathing his head and neck with water, 
and, as he sprang to his feet, still half dazed from the 
effect of the blow, the gloom of the cabin served to con- 
fuse him yet more. 

“Hello there! What’s going on? Who’s here?” he 
asked sharply and quickly. 

“The mischief is on deck. You were knocked sense- 
less into the cabin, and have just recovered conscious- 
ness,” Miss Dunham said, as she laid her hand soothingly 
on his arm. “Mr. Bean, two of the sailors and myself, 
are the only ones here. It was necessary to put out the 
lights, because the mutineers had begun to throw missiles 
through the skylight.” 

“How long have I been here?” Ben asked, now in a 
more rational tone, as he felt for his weapons. 

“ Not more than three or four minutes. The sailors 
have your revolvers. Won’t you lie down a little while, 
and let me bring my hartshorn ? Perhaps your head 
is n’t just clear yet.” 

“ I think it is, and there ’s no time to be lost. How is 
Bean?” 


194 


BESIEGED. 195 

“Injured very severely; but I have partially stopped 
the flow of blood, and only left him to attend to you.” 

“You are as good as an angel, and as brave — well, as 
brave as good women always are, and that is the standard 
for bravery in this world, I reckon. Now that you have 
done your duty it is best to keep out of reach of possible 
harm.” 

“ So I would if you had enough here to help you retake 
the brig; but as it is I can count for one man, and shall 
try to do my full share of the work.” 

“ You will count for half a dozen, if it ’s only in the way 
of setting an example. Now I must see Bean, and then 
we will decide upon what is to be done. Where did you 
leave him ? ” 

“ In his room.” 

There was no time for delay. 

Ben pressed the young girl’s hand as the two crossed 
the saloon, and then inquired of the first officer as to 
how he was feeling. 

“Fairly brisk, but very weak. I hope the loss of 
blood is the worst of it, and that can soon be atoned for, 
though heaven knows this is the time when you need all 
my strength.” 

“ Don’t think of that,” Ben replied, cheerily. “We must 
get along with what we’ve got, and it’s fortunate there 
are yet two true-hearted men in the crew. Miss Dunham, 
if you give Bean a generous dose of brandy it will help 
pull him together a bit, and I ’ll see what can be done in 
the way of getting out of this scrape.” 


196 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


The young girl acted upon this suggestion at once, and 
after talking with the two sailors Ben arrived at some- 
thing nearly approaching the true state of affairs. 

It was positive one of the men, as well as the second 
mate, had been killed. 

Including the officers, the Progressive Age had left Hong 
Kong with twelve men on board, thirteen all told, number- 
ing Miss Dunham as one of the ship’s company. Two of 
these were now known to be dead, four were in the saloon, 
and, in case the steward was in his berth off the pantry, 
there would be but five mutineers in charge of the deck. 

“There,” Ben said, when he had figured this matter out 
in his mind. “You see the odds are hot against us, after 
all. Allowing the five others to be mutineers, and not 
counting Mr. Bean or old Eliphalet, there are three of us, 
and we should be able to give the rascals as much of a 
dose as they need.” 

“ Except that they have got the upper hands of us by 
being on deck while we are below,” Bob. suggested. 

“ We ’ll soon be able to turn the tide in our direction, 
I hope,” Ben replied. “The greatest danger is that the 
villains may, through ignorance, allow the brig to do her- 
self some damage. Sam, see if you can find the steward, 
while Miss Dunham and I get together all the weapons 
and ammunition we can muster.” 

Sam had a very good idea of where Eliphalet could be 
found, if he was not in the power of the mutineers, and 
went directly to the small storeroom alongside the pantry 
where the old darkey slept. 


BESIEGED. 197 

The door was locked, and, peeping through the keyhole, 
he saw that the key was on the inside. 

“ Come out of there, uncle ! It ’s all right, and nobody 
down here but friends.” 

Twice did Sam repeat this statement without receiving 
any reply, and then he cried, angrily : 

“ See here, Eliphalet, the captain has sent for you ! All 
hands of us are locked in the cabin, an’ it ’s your business 
to turn out so ’s to help the thing along! There isn’t 
any time for foolin’, an’, if the word comes to break this 
door open, my idea is the steward of this craft will suffer 
considerably.” 

This threat was sufficient to bring the old darkey to 
terms, and an instant later the door was opened cau- 
tiously. 

Uncle Eliphalet ’s face was of an ashen -gray hue, and, 
if his hair had not been kinked quite so tightly, it is only 
reasonable to suppose it would have stood straight on end. 

“ Wha — wha — wha ’s — ” 

His teeth were chattering with fear so severely that it 
was impossible to utter an intelligible sound, and Sam 
said, impatiently, as, seizing the old fellow by the shoulder, 
he dragged him toward the saloon : 

“ Don’t wag your jaw like a bloomin’ idjut ; but come 
in here an’ see what can be done. This is a time when 
every mother’s son below has got to do his full share of 
work, an’ you among the rest.” 

Eliphalet was still in the same daze of fear when the 
sailor dragged him into the cabin ; but the sight of Miss 


198 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Dunham seemed to restore to him a portion of his cour- 
age, if, indeed, he ever had any, and he contrived to walk 
without assistance when she told him to go into the cap- 
tain’s room. 

Ben was there overhauling his baggage in the search for 
ammunition, and asked, quickly, as Eliphalet entered : 

“ Where were you when this row began?” 

“De ole man was done tucked up in bed, sah.” 

“ Then you did n’t see any of the trouble ? ” 

“ No, sah ; but I done heard plenty. ’Pears dem yeller 
debbils went ter slashin’ an’ cuttin’ at a terrifical rate, sah, 
like a lot of fool niggers on de rampage.” 

“ Did n’t you venture to look out when the noise 
began ? ” 

“ No, sah, dis yere ole darkey knowed too much fur 
dat.” 

“ Then, of course, you can’t give us any information. 
Go into Mr. Bean’s room, and see what can be done for 
him. I reckon you ’ll be of more assistance there than 
in the attempt to recapture the brig, although you did 
a tidy bit of work when we were fighting the pirates ! ” 

Eliphalet was*willing to obey this command. It seemed 
to him as if the saloon was much too large for safety at 
such a time, and that the smaller his place of refuge the 
less the danger. 

The first officer had remained in a conscious state 
through sheer force of will. But for the perils which 
threatened he would have succumbed to the deathly 
faintness which assailed him. None knew better than 


BESIEGED. 


199 


he how necessary it was he should retain the possession 
of his faculties, for the position of affairs was such that 
even a dying man might be of some assistance before the 
struggle came to an end. 

There was very little the steward could do for the suf- 
ferer ; but his presence in the room prevented the neces- 
sity of some other member of the small party spending 
any time in attendance upon the patient, and this in itself 
was quite an important item. 

A revolver was found in Mr. Rogers’s apartment, and 
with it seventy -five or an hundred cartridges. 

Ben had his own weapon, and also the one formerly 
owned by Captain Dunham ; but his supply of ammuni 
tion was not as great as it would have been but for the 
engagement at Nampang Island. 

Miss Dunham was armed with her own revolver and a 
goodly number of cartridges, while Mr. Bean would retain 
his weapon in case it should be necessary to defend himself 
at short range. 

Ben gave Bob the revolver taken from Mr. Rogers’s 
chest, and to Sam the one which had belonged to Captain 
Dunham. 

By this distribution all, save the steward, were fairly 
well armed, as compared with the party in possession of 
the deck, and, but for the difficulty of leaving their place 
of refuge without exposing themselves, the fortunes of 
this particular struggle would have been changed very 
speedily. 

“You won't think of attempting to do anything to- 


200 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


night,” Miss Dunham said, when Ben had finished arming 
his little troop. 

“ Every moment is precious, and it stands us in hand to 
see that none are wasted.” 

“ It is even more necessary you should think first of 
your own safety.” . 

“But I am doing that in attacking the scoundrels as 
soon as possible.” 

“ I don’t think so,” she said, hesitatingly, “ and yet at 
such a time I have no right to oppose your plans, other 
than this : If by an ill-advised move you and these two 
sailors should be overpowered, remember what my position 
would be.” 

“ If for a moment I forgot what might happen, it was 
not because you are ever absent from my thoughts. Your 
safety is of more value to me than a dozen brigs.” 

“ And in order to insure that, it is necessary you take 
every precaution to save your own life.” 

“ I shall pull you through, unless I make a mistake, 
and in that case — ” 

“ In that case I have this,” touching her weapon sig- 
nificantly, as she laid one hand, half caressingly, on his 
shoulder. 

Ben clasped her in his arms for an instant. 

There was no necessity then for words. 

Each understood the other as if their love-making had 
been conducted under the most favourable circumstances, 
and after this brief caress the young captain said, in a 
voice which had a ring of triumph : 


BESIEGED . 


201 


“Now you must be guided by me, so far as your own 
precious self is concerned.” 

“ What do you want me to do ? ” 

“ Stay in your room, or Bean’s, out of the way of a 
possible shot from above. If it so happens that we are 
in danger of being overpowered, you shall join in the fight. 
Of that you have my word. Now tell me why you did 
not think it best to make an immediate attack upon the 
murderers ? ” 

“ Because, in the first flush of their victory they will be 
unusually watchful. It is more than probable both exits 
are guarded carefully in anticipation of exactly what you 
propose doing. I suggest that you wait until possession 
has made them careless. There are many things which 
may happen in our favour between now and morning. The 
first thought of some of the men will be the spirit room, 
and when that has been broken into and its contents at 
their disposal, your work will be simplified.” 

“ I begin to believe you are always right, and it is the 
position of captain which belongs to you.” 

“ I would prefer to continue as chief mate,” she said, 
shyly, and then, as if remembering what he had asked 
her to do, went into Mr. Bean’s room. 

She had hardly left the saloon when a crash of glass 
was heard, mingled with the fall of missiles upon the 
table, and there was barely time for Ben to leap backward 
into his own apartment before the shower fell. 

Had the young girl remained in the position she 
occupied while talking with the captain, her death would 


202 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


have been inevitable, for the stationary chair upon which 
she had been leaning was splintered into fragments, and 
this fact gave Ben to understand that it was more neces- 
sary he should make some effort to guard his little crew 
against another assault of this kind, than to attack the 
mutineers immediately. 

“ Come below with me, Bob,” he said, as he opened the 
small hatch leading to the lazaret. “ If we can put up 
something to screen the skylight, it will be possible for us 
to move around without danger of having our heads split 
open.” 

While making the inspection of the brig on first taking 
command, he remembered having seen a couple of new 
topsails in this place, and to bring these into the saloon 
was now his object. 

In the lazaret the general stores were also kept, and he 
found sufficient rope of convenient size with which to 
carry his plan into execution. 

Half an hour later both topsails were suspended directly 
beneath the skylight, the ends being made fast to different 
corners of the saloon, and the double thickness of canvas 
would resist any ordinary weight which might be thrown 
upon it from above. 

This screen would also shut the inmates of the saloon 
out from view of those on deck, and now it was possible 
to light the lamps once more, for until this was done they 
had been forced to move around in darkness. 

“ I reckon we ’ll keep those fellows from using us as 
targets,” Ben said, in a tone of satisfaction, “and there’s 


BESIEGED . 


203 


little danger they will expose their precious bodies as 
much as would be necessary in forcing open either of the 
doors. We can count on being unmolested until morn- 
ing at least. Now the most important question in my 
mind is, what these scoundrels propose to do with the 
brig ? ” 

“ I don’t see that they ’ll make much of a fist at any- 
thing but keeping her on her course, sir,” Sam replied. 
“ None of ’em understand navigation, so far as I have 
learned, and, unless they are countin’ on abandonin’ her, 
it ’s a case of trying to strike Ascension by a clear streak 
of luck.” 

“ Have you heard them talking about any place in par- 
ticular, which would give us a clue as to what they intend 
doing ? ” Ben asked. 

“ Not a word, sir. We would n’t listen to any chin from 
the coolies, so everything was kept mighty quiet from us.” 

“ Well, the only thing to be done now is to remain at 
your stations by the doors ready for an attack, in case 
they should make one, and at the same time hear anything 
which may be said close at hand.” 

There was nothing more Ben could do then, for he 
intended to act upon his sweetheart’s advice by waiting 
until morning before assuming the offensive, and he went 
into the wounded mate’s room. 

Old Eliphalet was curled up in one corner, evidently 
with a view of occupying as small a space as possible, in 
order that but little of his body could be used as a target, 
and absolutely deprived, by fear, of the power of speech. 


204 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Miss Dunham was seated by the side of the mate, who 
looked rather better for the stimulant administered, and 
Bean said, in reply to Ben’s question : 

“ I am feeling a bit more like myself, sir, now the flow 
of blood has stopped ; but I ’m afraid that yellow scoun- 
drel gave me all I need in this world.” 

“ Nonsense, man! You mustn’t lose courage now of 
all times. We ’ll pull you clear of this, or I ’m a Dutch- 
man. Why, you ’re looking fifty per cent, better than 
when I first saw you.” 

“ And I ’m feeling a good bit easier, sir ; but it seems 
as if something should be done to this cut of mine.” 

“ I think it is wisest to remain as you are a while 
longer. To disturb the bandages now would only bring 
on a fresh hemorrhage,” the young girl interrupted. 

“ Is there any danger he may be bleeding internally ? ” 
Ben asked. 

“That I cannot say,” Miss Dunham replied. “I have 
had very little experience in such things, but it seems to 
me, if he was in any such danger, the pain would be 
greater, and, at present, he says he does not suffer.” 

“I’ve got to take my chances,” Mr. Bean said, quietly, 
“and it isn’t for you to waste any time on me. What ’s 
done cannot be undone, so far as I ’m concerned, and if 
you don’t fool around here, you ’ll stand so much better 
chance to get possession of the brig once more.” 

“We don’t intend to fool around with you,” Ben replied. 
“ After you feel a bit stronger, I ’ll see what can be done 
in the way of sewing up the wound ; but until then I 


BESIEGED. 


205 


think as Miss Dunham does, that it will be safer for you 
to remain perfectly quiet.” 

Then, as a means of distracting the invalid’s attention 
from his own condition, Ben explained what he had done 
to secure the safety of those in the saloon, and when he 
concluded the mate asked : 

“ Have you made any plans for morning, sir ? ” 

“ None whatever. It ’s a case of waiting for something 
to turn up, so far as I can see. If the men should broach 
the spirits to-night we ’ll have fairly plain sailing. It ’s 
only a question of getting out of this place without being 
knocked in the head, as would surely happen if we 
attempted to go through either companionway at present.” 

“ Do you think the men have any firearms, sir ? ” 

“ There’s one revolver among them, that much I know, 
for I heard the report of it just after you came below.” 

“ Don’t you remember the pantry has a window over- 
looking the deck ? ” 

Ben started as if electrified. 

“ That ’s the very idea, Bean. It would be a work of 
half a dozen seconds to knock away a few slats from the 
shutter, and then one man inside could keep the deck 
clear forward of the mainmast so long as his ammunition 
held out. I ’ll try that scheme as soon as it is light, and 
luck will be mightily against us if we don ’t get a shot at 
some of those villains before they are aware I ’ve got the 
drop on them.” 

“ I think it ’s the best plan you could form, sir,” the 
mate replied, “ and in case you should be fortunate enough 


20 6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


to find more than half of them in range when you burst 
through the shutter, the job is as good as done, for, of 
course, you don’t intend to show any mercy to them.” 

“ I shall shoot to bring down my man, and will answer 
for all that are in sight when I am once at the window.” 

It surely seemed as if this was a plan which might suc- 
ceed, and, once it was decided upon, all the besieged, with 
the possible exception of Uncle Eliphalet, felt decidedly 
more at ease. 

“ I shall take my stand as soon as daylight,” Ben said 
to Bob and Sam, after having explained the scheme to 
them. “You are to remain at your posts here. No 
matter what may be going on where I am, don’t attempt 
to come to my rescue, even if I am getting the worst of 
it, for that would leave the companionways unguarded, 
and it is Miss Dunham who must be thought of rather 
than me. Look to her in case they seem to be getting 
the best of us, and remember that it is better she should 
receive your last bullet than fall into the clutches of these 
scoundrels.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


THE BATTLE. 

B EN passed the hours which elapsed before the time 
he had set for the opening of the battle in alter- 
nately visiting the sailors at their posts and the sick man 
in his room. 

His head was clear, so far as his reasoning faculties were 
concerned, but it buzzed and whirled, owing to the heavy 
blow given him by the mutineers, in a manner which, at 
any other time, would have forced him to retire to his 
room in the hope of gaining some relief from the terrible 
pain. 

He could not afford to “nurse himself” just now, and 
kept on with his work as if he was in the best possible 
mental and bodily condition. 

When he had completed his rounds the second time, 
Bob, who was stationed at the after companionway, 
whispered : 

“ The Manilamen have been here talking with the man 
at the wheel. I could n’t make out rightly what they 
said, but, as near as I heard, the idea was to set fire to 
the brig, an’ then abandon her, leavin’ us to be first 
smoked an’ then drowned, like rats in a trap.” 

“ Did it appear to be decided on that such a thing 
should be done, or were they only discussing the plan ? ” 


207 


208 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I could n’t say exactly, but it seemed like as if they 
was tryin’ to persuade the helmsman it oughter be fixed 
that way. It ’s no use to listen now,” the sailor added, 
as Ben crept softly toward the door. “They went for- 
ward five minutes ago, and I reckon there’s nobody this 
way but him who ’s at the wheel.” 

Ben visited Sam, who reported that he had heard noth- 
ing, save, now and then, the sound of footsteps along the 
deck. 

“ It stands to reason they believe we ’re trying to make 
out what they are doin’, so won’t keep very nigh here,” 
the sailor added, and Ben crept noiselessly into the 
pantry, arriving at the open window which was screened 
by the shutter of slats, just as two of the mutineers came 
in that direction. 

“I don’t hold to it that we’ve got any call to set the 
brig on fire,” one of the newcomers said. “ What did 
we put our necks in a halter for? Jest to get a chance 
to destroy the brig ? Not much. When them coolies 
talked to me ’bout what we’d do, it was only with the 
idee that the captain should put back to St. Helena ; 
but now they reckon on burnin’ the craft, an’, if their 
plans are carried out, I ’d like to know what we ’ve made 
out of this ere mutiny ? ” 

“ Put our necks in a noose for a couple of yeller skinned 
villains, that ’s what we ’ve done,” the other sailor replied, 
gravely. “ We acted more like babies than men, letting 
them pull us into the scrape ; but now we ’re here, it ’s a 
case of stayin’, for there’s no other way out of it.” 


THE BA TTLE. 20g 

“Then you think we oughter hold on to the brig a 
while longer ? ” 

“Of course, an’ we must take care of our necks, get 
one of the boats into condition, provision her, an’ abandon 
this craft. I ’ve got an idee that them in the cabin will 
lead us a pretty dance before they give up tryin’ to square 
matters, so I go in for lookin’ after my own skin.” 

The men moved further away by the time the second 
speaker finished, and it was no longer possible for Ben to 
hear the conversation ; but he had learned sufficient to 
give him renewed courage, for he knew now that at least 
two of the mutineers regretted what they had done, and, 
when the proper time came, it was quite possible both 
would be more than willing to return to duty, if he 
allowed it. 

He remained at the window several moments longer, 
but without learning anything more, for the majority of 
the mutineers staid forward, where, as a matter of course, 
it was impossible to overhear their conversation. 

To his disappointment, he did not distinguish any 
sounds of revelry, as would have been the case if they had 
broken into the spirit room as Miss Dunham hoped they 
might, and, remaining only long enough to assure him- 
self the slats of the shutter could easily be shattered, he 
returned to the cabin. 

Bean had fallen into a light doze, and the young girl 
was standing on the threshold of the invalid’s room await- 
ing the captain’s return. 

Beckoning for her to come to the opposite side of the 


210 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


saloon, that the wounded mate might not be disturbed by 
the conversation, Ben repeated the little which he had 
learned, and concluded by saying: 

“ I am confident the scheme which Bean suggested will 
prove successful, and the time is very near at hand when 
it must be begun. Remember what I have said, and so 
long as we have the upper hands of these fellows, remain 
in your room, from the time the firing begins until you 
hear from me.” 

“ If I could do any good, I should insist on standing by 
your side during the fight.” 

“But you cannot, and are sensible enough to under- 
stand you might seriously hamper my movements. Only 
one person can be of any service until the plan has shown 
itself either a success or a failure, and you shall know 
when that time arrives.” 

“There is no reason why I should not stay with Mr. 
Bean instead of in my own room ? ” 

“ Certainly not, and, in fact, that would be the best 
place, for he might get excited and insist on coming out, 
which must be prevented at all hazards. The sailors are 
to remain where they are, to prevent a rush from the 
mutineers in case of my failure, and you can judge from 
the frequency of the reports whether I am able to do any 
execution or not.” 

“ You will not expose yourself unnecessarily, cap — 
Benj, dear ? ” 

The young captain clasped his very lovable little “ chief 
mate ” in his arms for an instant ; then led her to Bean’s 


THE BATTLE . 


21 I 


room and softly closed the door, going at once to the place 
from which he intended to begin the battle. 

The day would break in less than half an hour. 

He had no preparations to make, save to place the car- 
tridges on a shelf where they could be gotten at most 
readily, and assure himself his weapons were loaded, for 
he had taken Miss Dunham’s revolver on this occasion, in 
order that he might discharge the greatest possible num- 
ber of shots at the moment when the mutineers were first 
surprised. 

Listening intently he could hear nothing which be- 
tokened that the men were in the vicinity of the window, 
and, that the time might seem to pass more rapidly, he 
began cutting at the slats of the shutter with his knife so 
there should be no question of their breaking when he was 
ready to open hostilities. 

It was as if the day would never come, and this time 
of inaction, just before the battle which might end all 
days in this life for him, was filled with anxiety and ap- 
prehension. 

Then the growing light came stealing over the restless 
water ; the veil of darkness was lifted gradually, and 

“ The wind came up out of the sea, 

And said, ‘ Oh, mist, make room for me.’ 

It hailed the ships and cried : 

‘ Sail on, ye mariners, the night is done.’ ” 

As soon as it was possible for him to distinguish objects 
within the room, he knew the time had arrived when he 


212 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


could see clearly all that was on the deck of the brig, and, 
mentally bracing himself for the struggle which was to 
come, he shattered the slats of the shutter with one of 
Eliphalet’s rolling-pins. 

There were but three men to be seen when the barrier 
was thus removed, — the two coolies and Jolly Bart. 

He could have no compunction in shooting either of 
these three down, for he knew they were dangerous char- 
acters, in whose word no reliance could be placed. 

The mutineers had turned on hearing the crash of the 
wood - work, and before they could have satisfied them- 
selves as to what caused the noise, Ben fired at the coolie 
standing nearest him. 

His aim was not as deadly as he had hoped it would be. 

The ball struck the fellow on the right shoulder, spin- 
ning him around like a top, and thoroughly disabling his 
arm, as could be seen when he attempted to recover his 
balance. 

Then one, two, three bullets speeded forward in rapid 
succession ; but only one of them found its mark. 

Bart was brought to the deck by a ball in the knee, and 
the second Manilaman sought refuge on the opposite side 
of the foremast. 

Now it was Ben’s turn to act as a target, and he 
learned beyond a question that there was at least one 
revolver in the hands of the mutineers. 

The coolie fired twice in rapid succession, but, owing to 
the fact that he did not dare come out from his sheltered 
position in order to take aim, his bullets went wide of 


THE BATTLE . 


213 


their intended mark, and must have seemed more danger- 
ous to the helmsman than to the young captain. 

Bart and the wounded coolie succeeded in getting them- 
selves under cover, and that they had no firearms appeared 
positive, otherwise a fusillade would have been opened. 

Ben held possession of this portion of the deck, so far 
as preventing any one from coming aft was concerned, 
but he had not yet paved the way for himself and his 
companions to leave the cabin in safety, since the Manila- 
man, sheltered by the foremast, could make it exceedingly 
uncomfortable for them. 

Ben’s first thought was to rush forward with Bob and 
Sam, trusting that there was only one man at the wheel, 
and overpower the fellow with the revolver at all hazards. 
But almost as soon as this idea came into his mind it was 
rejected by the thought that it would be a foolhardy 
proceeding. 

He would have, in case he finally gained possession of the 
deck, only two sailors as able-bodied men, to help work 
the vessel, and if one of these should be wounded in the 
rush it would be almost impossible to sail the little craft 
even so far as Ascension. 

Then again, in case he himself should be killed, or so 
wounded as to be unable to navigate the brig, the chances 
of getting her into port would be very small. 

“ It won’t pay to run any risk, however slight,” he 
muttered to himself. “ The loss of one man at this time 
would be most disastrous, and it is better to spend a few 
hours longer on the job than to spoil all by too much 


214 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


haste. I reckon I can tire that yellow fellow out after a 
time.” » 

Then seating himself, with the revolver resting on the 
sill of the window in order that he might take the better 
aim, Ben remained with his eyes fixed upon the spot where 
the mutineer was sheltered, watching for the slightest 
portion of his body which would serve as a target. 

It was tedious work ; but neglect of it even for a single 
instant might mean death, and, under such circumstances, 
one is very likely to keep a keen lookout. 

When twenty minutes had elapsed a light step was 
heard approaching the pantry door, and, without turning 
his head, Ben knew that the girl whom he loved was 
approaching. 

“ May I come in ? ” she asked, in a low tone. 

“You may look through the door, but don’t venture any 
further.” 

“ What are you doing ? ” she asked, after gaining a 
good idea of the condition of affairs by seeing his position 
of extreme watchfulness. 

“Trying to wing that yellow villain who is sheltered 
by the foremast, and waiting for a shot at me as anxiously 
as I am for one at him.” 

“What was the result of the firing I heard a short 
time ago ? ” 

“Bart has got a ball in his knee, and the coolie’s 
shoulder must be splintered considerably,” Ben replied, 
grimly. “They have crawled out of sight, one behind 
the water- casks, and the other among the cables. We 


THE BATTLE. 


215 


can’t count them as being totally disabled, but if I can 
get another shot at either, I ’ll run the risk of the second 
villain’s peppering me.” 

“ Then he is the only one who has a revolver ? ” 

“ Evidently so, or there would have been a concerted 
* attack made before this. I wonder if Sam has heard 
anything from the after companionway ? I’d give a good 
bit to know how many there are at the wheel.” 

“He heard two talking immediately after you fired, and 
if you have seen three, that must make up the list of 
mutineers, according to the way you figured it last night.” 

“ Then I ’ll station Bob here, and let him keep the 
coolie in check while with Sam I make a rush aft. We 
shall then virtually have possession of the brig, and it can’t 
be a great while before that fellow has to surrender.” 

“ But do you think Bob is as good a marksman as you ? ” 
“ I fancy he is n’t ; sailors are not generally given to 
such things ; but it can’t be helped, for I ’m not disposed 
to spend all day watching that scoundrel, and allow him 
to give me the slip when it comes dark.” 

“Why not let me take your place here? I can cer- 
tainly use a revolver better than Bob ? ” 

“ I am quite well aware of that fact, but at the same 
time don’t intend to countenance anything of the kind. 
I promised that you should join in the battle in case we 
were close pressed, but sha’ n’t allow you to run any risk 
when there ’s no absolute necessity of doing so, therefore 
you must remain under cover as has been agreed upon. 
Will you call Bob ? ” 


21 6 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Miss Dunham made no protest at being deprived of an 
opportunity to assist in the retaking of the ship ; but 
obeyed, although believing she could have done better 
work at that particular point than either of the men. 

“ Bob,” Ben said, without moving his eyes as the sailor 
entered, “stand behind me, and tell me what you see 
directly forward of the foremast.” 

The man obeyed, but it was some time before he 
distinguished anything. 

“ It seems as if I could get a glint of white now an’ 
then; but I can’t make out for certain.” 

“You are right, there is a glint of white now and then, 
and there ’s a body there, too. One of the coolies is 
laying for a chance to shoot me, and will do so without a 
question, if I give him an opportunity to take aim. Now 
I want you to stand or sit here in my place, and, 
remember, your life depends upon keeping that fellow 
well in hand. If you allow him three seconds in which to 
peep out from behind his shelter you ’ll never sign articles 
again in this world. Here are plenty of cartridges, you 
can exchange revolvers with me, and don’t hesitate about 
wasting a shot, for it is better to let him know you are on 
the alert, than try to save powder and balls. I am going 
to trust that whoever is at the wheel is without firearms, 
and Sam and I will make a rush up the companionway.” 

“It’s a good plan, sir, and I’ll go bail there isn’t 
another revolver on the brig except what that yellow skin 
has got. With one of our own crowd at the wheel, I ’ll 
feel safer about the old hooker, for then we shall know 


THE BA TTLE. 2 1 7 

where we are going, an’ as things stand now, nobody can 
tell how soon we’ll fetch up.” 

Bob had taken his station directly in the rear of Ben 
while he was speaking, and, satisfying himself that the 
man was where he could see everything which might 
happen, the young captain arose to his feet. 

“ There are two other fellows forward there,” the latter 
said, as he went toward the door of the room, “ but they 
are so badly used up, I don’t reckon you ’ll have any 
trouble with them. Do your best when the scrimmage 
begins aft, for then will be the most likely time for that 
scoundrel to shoot.” 

Miss Dunham followed her lover into the saloon, and, 
suddenly remembering that there was another man on 
board who had not been utilised, Ben asked : 

“ Is it of any use to attempt to arouse old Eliphalet ? 
It ’s too bad we should n’t use him at this time, when 
every one counts for so much.” 

“ I don’t think it would be of any avail to get him out 
of Mr. Bean’s room. He is so thoroughly frightened as 
to be worse than helpless.” 

“ But he fought at Nampang Island, and did good service.” 

“Yes, but you must remember that there the enemy 
were not on board the brig, and what he did was done in 
a frenzy, so he was hardly a free agent.” 

“ Well, I wish that same kind of frenzy would overtake 
him now ; he could do us a power of good.” 

“ There is little chance of that while he has an oppor- 
tunity of remaining where he is.” 


2lS 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ How is Bean ? ” 

“ Much the same as when you left him. The reports 
of the revolver awakened him ; but I explained what was 
being done, and then he remained quiet, almost too much 
so, perhaps.” 

“ Why do you say so ? ” 

“ Because I am afraid he is sinking into that lethargy 
which often follows a serious wound, and from which it is 
difficult to arouse the patient.” 

“ God help us if Bean goes under ! However success- 
ful we may be with these mutineers, the craft will be in 
bad condition, so far as handling her is concerned, and 
I ’m not certain that in this case victory won’t be nearly 
as bad as defeat.” 

“ Now, you are not talking like yourself,” Miss 
Dunham said, as she laid her hand on his arm, caress- 
ingly. “ After having been so brave, you must not 
begin to grow faint-hearted. The brig could be gotten 
to Ascension with the two sailors, old Eliphalet and 
myself as crew, and she will be there in due time, for 
I predict you are soon to have complete possession of 
the deck.” 

“ You are a dear girl, whether you are a true prophet 
or not,” Ben said, as he kissed her. 

“ We will hope that I am both,” she replied, heartily. 

“ I am certain of the first, and a few moments will 
decide the last. Now go into Mr. Bean’s room, and the 
next time I have an opportunity of speaking with you the 
fate of the brig will have been settled.” 


THE BATTLE. 


219 


Then Ben explained to Sam what it was he proposed 
doing, and said, in conclusion : 

“We will open the doors as softly as possible, but I 
don’t think there is any chance of our being able to sur- 
prise them very much. Instantly the way is clear, dash 
out and shoot the best you know how, unless the man 
shows he is willing to surrender. Is your revolver ready?” 

“Yes, sir,” Sam replied, grimly. “I didn’t count on 
stayin’ here where they might make a break any minute 
without havin’ it in good workin’ order.” 

“ Then stand by my side and be ready to fire ; but in 
case there is no one to be seen we mustn’t venture out 
for fear of being knocked in the head. My idea is that 
the helmsman and his mate, whoever he may be, will 
make a rush forward as soon as we fling the doors open, 
or stand by to club us as we ascend, and this last possi- 
bility is what we must guard against. Are you ready ? ” 

“ Ay, ay, sir ! ” 

“Then here we go ! ” and Ben hastily slipped back the 
bolt of the door. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


RECAPTURE. 



ORTUNE favored him just at this instant, for even 


while he was pushing back the bolts the sharp crack 
of the revolver from the forward portion of the brig told 
that Bob and the Manilaman were exchanging compli- 
ments, and, as a matter of course, this distracted the 
attention of the man at the wheel from what might be 
going on at the companionway. 

When Ben flung open the doors but one of the muti- 
neers could be seen, and he was gazing forward so in- 
tently that, before he was aware of the fact, the young 
captain had covered him with his weapon. 

“Keep your hands on the spokes of that wheel, and 
don’t dare to so much as yip, or I ’ll put a ball through 
your head ! ” Ben said, in a low tone, taking good care not 
to rise to his full height, lest the mutineers forward should 
learn that he had gained control of the after portion of 
the brig. 

“ I ain’t meanin’ to make any trouble, sir,” the man 
said, with a whine. 

“And I ain’t reckoning on letting you,” Ben replied, 
grimly. “ Sam, find something with which to make this 


RECAPTURE. 


221 


villain fast, and move quick about it ; there ’s no knowing 
when some of the crew may attempt to come aft.” 

The sailor obeyed instantly, and Ben remained at the 
head of the companionway, holding the man in check 
with his revolver, on the alert for any sign of danger. 

This portion of the scheme had worked so smoothly, 
and had been such a decided success, that he could not 
believe he was to accomplish his task so readily. 

It seemed as if of necessity there must some further 
complication arise, before he could secure this mutineer 
who had allowed himself to be taken prisoner in such 
a simple fashion. 

Sam was a willing labourer in the task of securing the 
captive. 

In order that he might not expose himself to the view 
of those forward, he tied first the sailor’s legs, and then, 
forcing him to a sitting position, lashed his hands behind 
his back. 

“ I can steer without bringing my head above the house, 
sir,” Sam said, as, his work done, he crawled on his knees 
to the binnacle in order to get some idea of the course. 

“ All right, there ’s no need of doing much more than 
simply keeping the muslin full. I reckon this part of the 
performance will soon come to an end,” Ben said, cheerily, 
and then, turning to the prisoner, he asked, sternly : 
“ Where is your mate ? ” 

“ He started around the port side of the house, sir, and 
has come to af! anchor somewhere between here and the 
main hatch, on account of that shootin’, I reckon.’’ 


222 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ Have you still got your revolver with you, Sam ? ” 

‘‘Yes, sir, I’m holdin’ on to that while I ’ve got sich 
shipmates as are aboard of this ’ere hooker.” 

“ Have it ready, and if this- fellow makes the least noise 
while I ’m gone, shoot him as you would a dog. I ’ll try 
and gather in his mate.” 

“ Accordin’ to my way of thinkin’ the best plan would 
be to shoot him first ; he ain’t worth savin’,” Sam said, in 
a tone of contempt. 

“ So long as he keeps quiet, don’t interfere with him,” 
Ben replied, sharply, and then he crept softly around the 
house on the port side. 

In less than thirty seconds the helmsman heard him 
say, in a low, quick tone: 

“ Put up your hands and follow me without making the 
least sound that can be heard by those scoundrels forward, 
or I ’ll bore a hole in your worthless body. Move lively, 
and be quiet about it ! ” 

Then the second mutineer was brought aft, and the 
little brig steered herself while Sam secured this one as 
he had the first. 

“There,” Ben said, in a tone of relief, when the prisoner 
was made fast and Sam had taken the wheel again, “ it 
strikes me we are getting along mighty well. There ’s 
only one able-bodied man left of all the crowd, and if three 
of us can’t get the best of him during the next hour, we 
deserve to lose the brig.” 

“ If you could get that bloomin’ nigger #p here to take 
the wheel, I ’d like to have a hand in this thing myself,” 


RECAPTURE. 


223 


Sam muttered. “ He ain’t any earthly use where he 
is now, an’ it seems as if we oughter turn him to some 
account.” 

“ It would only be a waste of time to try it, my man. 
He ’s too thoroughly frightened to be of any assistance, 
even if we should drag him on the deck. The job isn’t 
such a difficult one that we can’t manage it among our- 
selves, and, if necessary, you could make the wheel fast 
and join us. With this breeze, and under the canvas she 
has spread, the little craft would steer herself without 
a rudder.” 

Then Ben went below to inform his sweetheart of the 
good tidings. 

“ Was n’t there anyone at the wheel ? ” she asked, as 
she came from Mr. Bean’s room, for Ben and Sam had 
done their work in such a quiet manner that she could 
not believe they had as yet been successful. 

“ Just peep out of the companionway once. Be careful 
not to show your head above the house, and you ’ll see 
how we got along,” Ben replied, in a tone of triumph, and, 
as Miss Dunham acted upon this suggestion, he stood by 
the side of the mate. 

« We ’ve got two of them triced up in proper fashion,” 
he said, in reply to Mr. Bean’s inquiring look. “ Caught 
them napping, and did n’t have any trouble. There are two 
more wounded, and one of the Manilamen with a revolver 
is all we ’ve got on our hands, so I reckon it won’t be 
a great while Before things will be shipshape once more. 
How are you feeling by this time ? ” 


224 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ About as usual. I am beginning to think perhaps the 
hurt wasn’t as bad as it might have been.” 

“ If that ’s the case we shall have come out of the scrape 
better than at one time seemed possible, for — ” 

He was interrupted by the rapid discharge of firearms, 
followed by hoarse cries of rage, and a sound as of some 
one leaping heavily up on the deck. 

Running quickly to the pantry, a single glance was 
sufficient to show him the cause of the disturbance. 

Bob had wounded his man, and, believing the latter’s 
stock of ammunition was exhausted, jumped from the 
window of the pantry to bring the battle to a speedy 
conclusion. 

When Ben arrived where he could have a view of the 
scene, the sailor was pursuing the coolie, who had gone 
up the fore - rigging, as if fancying in that direction he 
might find some avenue of escape. 

“Don’t shoot him!” Ben cried, as the sailor levelled 
his revolver at the bleeding wretch who stood half-way to 
the foretop, hesitating whether to continue on. “ Don’t 
shoot him ! I want the satisfaction of taking the scoundrel 
into port ! ” 

“That you shall never have! ” the fellow cried, in what 
was more like the snarl of an enraged beast than the 
voice of a human being. “ I ’d give my life to put a bullet 
through your head.” 

“ And I ’ll soon put one through yours if you don’t come 
down from there,” Ben shouted, following Bob’s example 
in the manner of leaving the pantry, and running forward. 


RECAPTURE. 


225 


The Manilaman glared at him fiercely for an instant, 
and then, drawing back his arm suddenly, hurled the 
revolver directly at the young captain’s head with all his 
strength, as at the same instant he leaped into the sea. 

Involuntarily, Sam, at the wheel, shouted “ Man over- 
board ! ” and with the instincts of a sailor, Bob ran to the 
davits ; but on reaching there realised how impossible it 
would be to rescue the mutineer. 

The brig was running at the rate of five or six knots an 
hour, and there were not men enough to heave her to and 
lower the boat before the unhappy wretch would have 
gone to that Captain against whom no mutinous conduct 
could ever prevail. 

“ It ’s no use,” Ben shouted. “ Even if you got the boat 
over in time, he would fight against being taken on board, 
for he has sense enough to know that it ’s only a question 
of choosing between drowning or hanging, and he evi- 
dently prefers the former. Come on here, let ’s rout 
these other fellows out.” 

There was no necessity of doing very much hunting, for 
the two remaining mutineers, wounded as they were, and 
unarmed save in the way of knives, knew that any resist- 
ance on their part would be worse than useless. 

Before the young captain had time to act upon his own 
command, the fellows came creeping out of their places of 
concealment, throwing their weapons on the deck in front 
of them in token of submission. 

“ Got enough of it, eh ? ” Ben asked, sharply. 

“Yes,” Bart said, sulkily. “ Even if I was sich a fool 


226 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


as not to know how to keep my nose out of this scrape, 
I ’ve still sense enough left to see there ’s no use kickin’ 
now, an’ I ’m willin’ to take my dose like a man.” 

“Are you badly wounded ? ” 

“ I don’t know as to that, sir. I hope I ’ve got as much 
as will serve me out, for it ain’t pleasant to think of 
what ’s certain to come,” and Bart stood before the young 
captain like a man from whom all hope has departed. 

Bob picked up the knives as if fancying the mutineers 
might attempt to regain possession of them, and Ben 
turned to the second coolie, who was standing with his 
back against the rail, the blood from the wound in his 
shoulder staining the deck a brilliant crimson. 

“ Are you ready to submit with as good a grace as your 
mate has ? ” Ben asked, sternly. 

“Never!” the man hissed. “I’ll follow Isdra first,” 
and, before either Ben or Bob could interpose, he had 
swung himself over the rail by aid of the uninjured arm, 
disappearing beneath the waves to reappear a moment 
later far astern in the wake of the brig he had attempted 
to destroy. 

“ If them two had done that same bloomin’ thing before 
they come aboard this ’ere craft, we should n’t have had 
so much trouble,” Bob said, turning to gaze after the 
drowning man. 

At this moment, Sam, who had risen to his feet when 
the first coolie leaped from the shrouds, gave vent to a 
shout of triumph, and Miss Dunham appeared by his side 
looking thoroughly astonished that the recapture of the 



“IN THE WAKE OF THE BRIG HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO DESTROY 









RECAPTURE. 


227 


little craft should have been accomplished in so short a 
time, and with such little difficulty, considering the advan- 
tage the mutineers had a few moments previous. 

“ Stay where you are till we get things shipshape,” Ben 
shouted, for he did not want her to see the sanguinary 
stains on the deck, which told how cheaply a human life 
had been held as against the gratifications of brutal pas- 
sions. “ Can’t you scour that out ? ” he asked, pointing 
to the place marked by the life-blood of Rogers. 

“ I ’ll do the best I can, sir ; but it is an old sayin’ that 
that kind of colourin’ never comes out of a plank, an’ I 
reckon it ’s a true one,” Bob replied, as he set about the 
task. 

“Now, my man,” Ben said, turning to Bart, “can you 
get into the forecastle without help ? ” 

“ I reckon I can, sir. If I was n’t such a coward I ’d 
follow the coolies, for then I ’d be better off.” 

“ Don’t show the white feather now. You ’ve had your 
fling, and must expect to pay for it. Get below, and I ’ll 
see what can be done toward dressing your wounds.” 
Then he shouted to Sam, “how is she heading ? ” 

“ Nor’ nor’west, sir.” 

“ Hold her so.” 

Then Ben went aft, seeming to think it necessary to 
clasp both Miss Dunham’s hands in his, in token of the 
victory won, and she asked : 

“ Now that the worst is over, will you be able to work 
the brig up to Ascension with what men you ’ve got ? ” 

“ Of course we shall, my hearty,” Ben replied, cheerily. 


228 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ If we ran from Nampang to Hong Kong with three yel- 
low-skinned pirates as crew, I reckon Bob, Sam, and 
myself will be able to put the old hooker along in great 
shape.” 

“ How is your head ? ” 

“ I declare I had forgotten all about that blow. My 
skull is very thick, and the events which have followed so 
rapidly on each other’s heels have put it out of my mind 
entirely, so we can safely say it was n’t anything very seri- 
ous. Get me what you can in the way of bandages ; tear 
up one of the sheets if necessary.” 

“ What are you going to do ? ” 

“ Bart, the man who acted as spokesman for the muti- 
neers, is badly wounded in the knee, and I am going to 
try to patch him up. Does Bean know we are in posses- 
sion of the little craft once more ? ” 

“He could have understood from Samis cry of triumph 
that the recapture had been accomplished.” 

Neither of these two spoke concerning the fate of the 
Manilamen ; it was a horrible portion of the tragedy con- 
cerning which they did not wish even to think, if it could 
be avoided. 

It was as if Ben feared his sweetheart would broach the 
subject, and he went below hurriedly. 

In a few words he explained to the first officer all that 
had occurred, and the latter replied, when the story was 
concluded : 

“ It is such news as this, sir, that helps a man in my 
condition along far better than surgeons or medicine ever 


RECAPTURE. 


229 


could. It ’s a good job for all hands that those coolies 
went over the rail, for it will save a lot of trouble. Now, 
if I was able to do my share of the work — ” 

“ Don’t talk about that. We shall get along all right. 
It will be a little tough, of course, but while the weather 
holds good there are three of us to go aloft, even if I 
don’t try to turn the unwounded mutineers to any 
account.” 

“Three, sir?” 

“Yes, I know from past experience that Miss Dunham 
is as good as a man at the wheel, which leaves Bob, Sam, 
and myself, as crew. Now, then, Eliphalet,” he added, to 
the old darkey, who was still crouching in one corner, but 
had raised himself somewhat on hearing the cheerful tid- 
ings which the captain brought, “ get up, and go to work ! 
There ’s plenty to be done, and we can’t have any loafing 
around when there ’s no danger. Cook something in the 
way of breakfast for Mr. Bean, and then get up a hearty 
meal for the rest of us.” 

“Yes, sah, yes, sah, I ’se gwine.” 

“ Get along lively ; this is no time for skulking. The 
danger is over, and you ’ve had a soft snap of it, so turn 
to with a will.” 

The old darkey raised himself to his feet as a person 
does who is cramped by remaining long in one position, 
and ambled out of the room just as Miss Dunham brought 
the bandages which had been asked for. 

Taking them, and seizing the small medicine - chest 
which belonged to the brig, Ben left the saloon, ascend- 


230 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


ing the stairway in order to speak with Sam for a moment 
before performing the surgical duty. 

“ Is Bart used up pretty bad ? ” the sailor asked. 

« I reckon he ’ll stand good for a hospital a month or 
two, if his neck is n’t stretched before then, as it ought 
to be.” 

“ These ’ere mates of his want to speak with you, sir. 
Mutineering ain’t sech a pleasant job as was thought it 
would be, an’ now they ’d like to crawl out of the hole 
they ’ve put themselves into.” 

“What is it you’ve got to say?” Ben asked, sharply, 
turning to the men who were lying helpless on the star- 
board side, where they had been packed away like so 
much merchandise by Sam. 

“ Is there any show of our squaring things, captain ? ” 
one of the sailors asked, humbly. “You’re short-handed 
now, an’ we ’d be willin’ to do the work of half a dozen 
men as long as you should say, on any kind of allowance, 
if we could mend matters.” 

“ Do you think murder can be wiped out as readily 
as that ? ” 

“ But we did n’t take a hand in any, sir. It was the 
coolies as did the killin’. Mr. Bean can tell you that.” 

“ But you are equally guilty with them ; because, unless 
you had agreed to assist, they would not have attempted 
to take the brig.” 

“I ain’t denyin’ it, sir, nor won’t try to crawl out of 
what I ’ve done by whinin’ ; but, if you ’ll only say the 
word, me an’ my mate ’ll show you that we ’ve got the 


RECAPTURE. 


23 


makin’ of good sailors in us, even if we did let ourselves 
be towed by the nose.” 

“ We don’t ask you to let us wipe the whole thing out 
by workin’ ; but only want to help get the brig into port, 
an’ then you shall do with us as you see fit,” the second 
mutineer added. 

“I ’ll talk with you when I come back,” Ben replied, and 
then he hurried away, thinking to himself that it would be 
advisable to accept this proffered assistance under the cir- 
cumstances, for he believed he would have nothing to fear 
from these fellows, after their mutinous plans had so sig- 
nally failed. 

He intended to keep them in suspense a certain time, 
however, instead of allowing them to see how willing he 
was to avail himself of their services. 

During Ben’s life at sea he had had considerable expe- 
rience in the way of treating wounds, since on every occa- 
sion he took advantage of the opportunity to act as amateur 
surgeon, knowing the practice would one day be valuable 
to him if he expected ever to become the master of a 
vessel, and Bart’s knee was not in such a serious condition 
but that he could dress it fairly well. 

The sailor remained silent during all the while Ben was 
working over him, and not a word was spoken until the 
young captain had concluded his task, when the latter said : 

“ There, my man, I have fixed you up the best I know 
how, and it can’t be long before we can leave you at 
Ascension, so I reckon, barring the pain, you won’t be 
much worse off than if we had a surgeon on board.” 


232 


THE BOY CAPTAIN , . 


“You are countin’ on deliverin’ me up to the authori- 
ties, sir?” 

“ Of course I am. You can’t expect to play this sort 
of a game, and not pay the fiddler.” 

Bart made no reply, and Ben, knowing now that it 
would be impossible for him to leave his bunk without 
assistance, went on deck, understanding that the mutineer 
was as close a prisoner as if he had been bound in Sam’s 
most approved manner. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


SHORT-HANDED. 

TI THEN Ben came out of the forecastle Bob had 
* * nearly finished his task of effacing the blood stains. 

“You can see, sir, it’s just as I said; that kind of 
colouring won’t come out,” and he pointed to a dull 
smudge which could yet be seen on the wood, despite all 
his efforts to remove it. 

“ What ’s the matter with holystoning it ? ” 

“ That ’s what I ’ve been doin’, sir, but it has worked 
down in the grain. Perhaps if I should use the carpen- 
ter’s adze a few minutes I might chop it out.” 

“ No, you’ ve done well enough. Smear it over with 
a little cold tar so the young lady won’t see it, and let 
it go at that. Bob, with Mr. Rogers dead, and Mr. Bean 
so disabled that there’s hardly a chance he ’ll get out of 
his bunk before this voyage is ended, I look to you and 
Sam to do the work of half a dozen men.” 

“And you sha’ n’t look in vain, sir,” Bob replied, grin- 
ning with delight at the familiar way in which the captain 
spoke to him. “You’ve shown that you know how to 
command this ’ere brig, even if you ’re not over an’ above 
old at the business, an’ whatsomever comes to our hands 
that we can do, it ’s the same as done.” 


234 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I believe you, Bob. I am very positive I can put all 
confidence in you, and intend to do so. Now tell me 
what you think about letting those able-bodied mutineers 
turn to and do their duty ? ” 

“ What do I think, sir ? Why, I think the curs oughter 
be made to do it if it takes all hands of us to stand behind 
them with a rope’s end.” 

“You don’t exactly understand me. What I mean is: 
Do you think we can trust them ? ” 

“ When it comes right down to that, sir, I would n’t 
trust ’em any further than I could sling a cow by the tail ; 
I don’t see as there ’s any cause to do that. Leave ’em to 
Sam an’ me, an’ they won’t do any more mutineerin’ this 
voyage.” 

“ I have no question of that if they can be left wholly 
to you and Sam, but of course they must go into the 
forecastle where Bart is, and there ’s no knowing what 
kind of a plot might be hatched up even now.” 

“ I should n’t be afeered of Bart if I was you, sir, ’cause 
he ’s had the heart all took out of him with that ’ere 
bullet. He never had no great amount of pluck at the 
best, an’ that taste of lead was enough to drive every ^ 
grain away. Do you count on carrying him any further 
than Ascension ? ” 

“ No ; not if the authorities there will take him ? ” 

“It’ll be a right good job to get him out of the brig; 
but at the same time I hold to it he can’t do any 
harm now.” 

“ We ’ll risk it at all events. Come aft and release these 


SI/OR T- HA HD ED. 235 

men, after I ’ve said a word or two to them, and then 
we ’ll make some arrangements as to the watches.” 

It was evident from the expression of Bob’s face that 
he was promising himself no slight amount of amusement 
in disciplining the mutineers, and he followed the young 
captain as directed, wagging his head from side to side 
as if deciding upon exactly the sort of treatment which he 
would deal out to the culprits who had been confided to 
his charge. 

The two mutineers were watching the young captain’s 
every movement, intently, and appeared to be relieved 
in mind on learning that he was about to pass upon 
their case. 

“ I ’ve decided to give you two a chance at being honest 
sailormen, once more ; for, although you may have told 
the truth in regard to your willingness to turn to, it don’t 
stand to reason I can put very much dependence on what 
you say. You are to be released, and must do your best 
toward helping work the brig into port ; but mind, go 
crooked ever so little, and I ’ll put you between decks in 
irons.” 

“You can count on us, sir,” one of the men replied, 
humbly. “ It don’t stand to reason you should believe 
what we say offhand, but give us a chance. We can’t do 
you any harm an’ shall do ourselves a power of good by 
turning to with a will. If I should go to sea for the next 
hundred years there ain’t a man livin’ now or would be 
then, who’d ever catch me in a mess like this agin.” 

“ Very well, you are to have the opportunity. I don’t 


236 THE BOY CAPTAIN. 

promise anything more than that. When we arrive in 
port, if you have done your duty, it will count in your 
favour. Now, Bob, take off these ropes, and all hands of 
you set about putting the brig to rights again, for it looks 
as if a mutinous crew had had control of her a week, 
instead of only twelve hours.’ ’ 

The old sailor was not at all careful regarding the man- 
ner in which he handled the prisoners, and they received 
many a thump before it was possible for them to rise to 
their feet once more. 

Ben had quelled the mutiny, and was forced now to 
face the situation, which was far from pleasant. 

The brig was less than half manned, unofficered save 
for the captain, and short of water, while yet at least fifty 
days from port, even under the most favourable circum- 
stances. 

The chance of getting men at Ascension was very 
slight, as was also that of his being able to borrow hands 
from passing ships, and Ben realised to the utmost the 
magnitude of the task before him. 

“ It looks as if I was starting on my first voyage pretty 
well, so far as experience is concerned,” the young cap- 
tain said, grimly, to himself. “ I have prevented the brig 
from being captured by the pirates, had her dismasted by 
a typhoon, run short of water, quelled a mutiny, and must 
now take her into port with just about crew enough to 
man the long-boat. There has been sufficient crowded 
into this half a cruise to make up six ordinary ones, and 
yet, if I fail now, with everything apparently against me, 


SHOE T- HANDED. 


237 


it would count as my inexperience. It seenvs pretty tough ; 
but I suppose it ’s the way of the world.” 

Miss Dunham met him at the foot of the companion- 
way stairs. 

“ Are you through with your work in the forecastle ? ” 
she asked. 

“ For to-day, yes.” 

“Is the man hurt badly ? ” 

“He did n’t get as much as he deserved ; but enough 
to hold him where he is for a month or more.” 

“ Do you think you can find more sailors at Ascension ? ” 

“ It is very doubtful, and that ’s exactly what I have 
come to talk with you about,” Ben replied, as he drew her 
more closely to his side. “You have been a captain’s 
daughter, and, if I understand the position of affairs cor- 
rectly, have promised to be a captain’s wife. Is that 
true ? ” 

For reply she raised her face to his, and it can readily 
be understood how the young sailor concluded this por- 
tion of the contract. 

“Now what does such a conversation as this lead up 
to? ” she asked, laughingly, disengaging his arm from her 
waist. 

“ Well, in course of time it will lead up to an appointment 
with a clergyman ; but just now I am about to make a 
more unpleasant proposition. I am allowing that we shall 
not find any men at Ascension ; but be forced to work 
the brig into the home port short-handed as we are.” 

“ Do you think that can be done ? ” 


238 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ It must be, no matter what difficulties may stand in 
the way. Regardless of the many disasters which have 
overtaken us, and could not be foreseen by the most pru- 
dent shipmaster, I am bound to get the brig into port in 
good condition, or never expect to have command of an- 
other craft/’ 

“ What does my being married to a captain have to do 
with it ? ” 

“ Very much ; for during the daytime, in fair weather, 
when it is necessary for me to be forward doing the work 
of a sailor, I shall ask you to spell the men at the wheel, 
in order that they may get some rest.” 

“Why do you think it is necessary to ask me? You 
know very well I shall insist on doing my portion of the 
work, and at such times as it is possible for me to stand 
at the wheel I intend to take my regular trick.” 

“ I neither expect nor intend that you shall do anything 
of the kind. There will be days when it will ease up on 
us very decidedly to have your assistance, and then I shall 
call on you.” 

“ And we are to continue the voyage, whether you find 
sailors at Ascension or not ? ” 

“ Most decidedly, yes.” 

“ Then, instead of working your men to the utmost at 
first, and exhausting them before they are well started on 
this last portion of the voyage, suppose I take the wheel 
now ? ” 

“Not for two or three days yet. You can be of more 
assistance in caring for poor Bean.” 


SHOE T- HANDED. 


239 


“ But Eliphalet should be able to do that in addition to 
his own work. If the others on board are to do double or 
treble duty, he must be forced to perform his share.” 

“ I am afraid it would be more work to force him than 
to do the labour ourselves.” 

“ Then leave him to me ; I ’ll see that he has n’t any 
spare time to trouble him.” 

“Very well,” Ben replied, laughingly, as he repeated 
the caress. “ You shall have full charge of him, and if he 
turns rusty on your hands let me know.” 

“There’s no danger of that,” Miss Dunham replied, 
stepping aside quickly, as Ben would have continued the 
love - making. “ Suppose you go in and talk with Mr. 
Bean a few moments ? I know h£ is anxious to hear of 
your plans in detail.” 

Ben did as she suggested, and while he was below the 
steward took it upon himself to perform an act of charity, 
without being prompted. 

Bob was standing near the galley, surveying the deck 
fore and aft, as if going over again in his mind the clos- 
ing scenes of the mutiny, when old Eliphalet put his woolly 
head out of the door, looked carefully around to make cer- 
tain there was no one save the sailor in the immediate 
vicinity, and then went through a series of the most extra- 
ordinary contortions. 

“ What ’s come over that lump of blackness ? ” Bob mut- 
tered, gazing about, curiously, in the belief that the darkey 
had seen something blood-curdling at the very least. 

Eliphalet continued the singular gestures, and after a 


240 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


few moments it dawned upon the sailor’s mind that the 
old man was inviting him to enter the galley. 

“ Looks like as if you ’d been taken mighty bad,” he 
said, as he approached the steward. “ Have n’t you got 
over the scare yet ? ” 

“ I ’se ’lowin’ you ’se done gone made a mistake ef you 
reckon I was skeered while de shootin’ was goin’ on. I 
des staid wid de fust mate.” 

“ Yes, an’ a precious deal of good you must have done 
him. When I saw you there you was curled up in one 
corner like a sick kitten what was waitin’ fur a fit to come 
on. But what ’s crawlin’ on you now ? ” 

“ I des wanted to arsk which one ob de men was it, 
what done gone got shot in de fo’castle ? ” 

“ Oh, you mean Bart, I reckon.” 

“ Am he used up mighty bad ? ” 

“ Well, it ’ll be a decent long while afore he can do 
much hornpipe dancin’, an’ now the captain’s got him done 
up in cloth enough to make the brig a maintopsail. I 
reckon he ’s kinder tied down in one place. It would a’ 
been a good job for him, ’cordin’ to my way of thinkin’, if 
he ’d followed the coolies over the rail.” 

“ Am he ferocerous ? ” 

“ What ?” 

“ Am it safe to go whar he be ? I ’se des ben makin’ 
de mate sum brof, an’ ef he ’s done gone got hurted bad, 
it seems like as ef it would n’ be more ’n Christian charity 
ter feed him up a bit.” ~- 

“ Oh, if that ’s the course you ’re steerin’, go ahead, 


SHOE T- HANDED. 


24I 


you need n’t be afraid of his doin’ you any harm, an’ I 
reckon a panikin of soup would go down his throat mighty 
handy.” 

“Would you be so kind, sah, as to des take it — ” 

“ Not a bit of it ! ” Bob interrupted, angrily. “ After 
I ’ve been dodgin’ bullets an’ knives for the last two 
watches, owin’ to that villain, I don’t count on turnin’ to 
and playin’ the nuss for him.” 

“ But — ” 

“There’s no use talkin’ ’bout it, uncle, so we won’t say 
anything more ; ” and Bob walked rapidly away as the 
most effectual method of putting an end to the conver- 
sation. 

Eliphalet remained hidden from view in the galley at 
least ten minutes, and then he could have been seen hur- 
rying toward the forecastle with a basin of steaming liquid, 
which gave forth a most appetizing odour. 

In fear and trembling he descended the forecastle 
ladder, gave one nervous glance at the wounded mutineer 
in the bunk, and then held toward him the basin at arm’s 
length. 

“ What is it ? ” Bart asked, wonderingly. 

“ I des brung some ob de soup, wha’ de cap’n done 
order fur de mate, kase its good fur sick folks.” 

“ And you ’re afraid to come near me with it, eh ? Do 
you think I ’m sich a hard case that I ’d put a knife inter 
a man what was tryin’ to do me a favour ? ” Bart asked, 
bitterly. . 

“ I ’se in ’er hurry, an’ dat’s why I could n’ stop,” Eliph- 


242 


THE BOY CAPTAIA. 


alet replied, approaching a few paces nearer the bunk. 
“ De cabin dinner mus’ be cooked afore eight bells am 
struck.” 

“ Was you ever afraid of me before ? ” Bart asked, as he 
held out his hand for the basin. 

“ Dere nebber was any reason fur it. ” 

“ And I wish the captain had put a bullet through my 
fool head before I ever gave any one a reason, Bart said, 
with a sigh. “ I ’ve allers held myself honest as sailors go, 
till now, an’ I ’ve got so far the other side by follerin’ in 
the wake of them yellow devils that even a nigger is 
afraid of me. I suppose it won’t do any harm if I thank 
you ? ” 

“ Des drink it down, honey, an’ don’t tork ’bout de 
res’,” old Eliphalet replied, gaining confidence as the 
mutineer showed such evident signs of repentance. “ I ’se 
gwine to fix you a mess fur dinner, an’ it ’s time I was 
toddlin’ inter de galley.” 

Bart raised the basin to his lips, and before it was 
removed the old darkey had disappeared. 

Mr. Bean and Ben decided, while the latter was in the 
invalid’s room, that since there were but four men to be 
divided into two watches, Bob should take one of the 
mutineers with him, and Sam the other. 

This would give them little or no opportunity for hatch- 
ing any evil plans, although it was questionable whether 
either of the watches would be off duty very long at a 
time. 

It would be necessary Ben should stay on deck during 


SHOE T- HANDED. 


243 


all the hours of darkness, and such portion of the daytime 
as would be unfit for Miss Dunham to remain in charge, 
for she was now to be installed chief mate of the brig. 

When the young captain came on deck again one of the 
mutineers was at the wheel, and the other three men had 
concluded the work of cleaning the ship. 

The day was as fair as it well could be. 

There was no necessity a rope should be started in 
order to keep the little craft on her course, although Ben 
decided all the light sails must be furled before night ; and 
the three men forward were enjoying themselves in true 
sailorly fashion, as if no such thing as mutiny or murder 
had ever been known on board the Progressive Age. 

Standing on the break of the quarter-deck Ben could 
hear Bob explaining to Sam, as he smoked his pipe, why 
the voyage thus far had been a disastrous one. 

“You see, matey, it was jest like this,” the old sailor 
said, emphasising the words with the stem of his pipe. 
“ When this ’ere bloomin’ hooker left port there was on 
board, countin’ the young miss, jest thirteen. Now it 
kinder struck me at the time that we was goin’ clean agin 
luck to sail with that number ; but how was a forecastle 
hand to make any change in the captain’s plans ? He was 
jest bound to go ahead ’cordin’ to orders, an’ what was 
the result ? That you all know, I reckon, so there ’s no 
need of figgerin’ it up. It was all along of that ’ere thir- 
teen what brought the trouble on us.” 

“Well, then, ’cordin’ to your idees,” Sam said, “we 
oughter slip right along without any bother, seein’s how 


244 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


we’ve lost four — poor Mr. Rogers, Freeman, an’ the 
scoundrelly coolies.” 

“ I allow it won’t be anything more ’n child’s play to get 
this ’ere brig inter port now. Why, us four can do it 
easier than a full crew could at the start, an’ she ’ll* slide 
along from this out till one of us has to stand below 
pourin’ water on the keel to keep it from bein’ sot on fire 
through friction.” 

Superstitious as the old sailor was, Ben was yet more 
so, for he fancied that hearing this prophecy at the time 
when he had just fully decided to take the ship home 
short-handed, was an augury of good, and, foolish as it may 
sound, it gave him decided relief of mind. 

By this time old Eliphalet had so far recovered as to 
have cooked dinner, and placed the long -delayed meal 
upon the cabin table. 

Ben went below in answer to the summons, and he and 
Miss Dunham were the only occupants of the saloon, for 
the steward had been sent back to the galley in order to 
serve food to the men, two of whom were sadly in need 
of it, and those were Bob and Sam, who, being shut up in 
the saloon, had had nothing to eat since the night previous. 

If Miss Dunham felt any forebodings as to the conclu- 
sion of the voyage, she did not allow Ben to suspect any- 
thing of the kind ; but discussed the work which it would 
be necessary to perform, the time which must elapse 
before they could reach the home port, and the probability 
of reasonably good weather during the remainder of the 
voyage. 


SHOE T- HANDED. 


245 


Then, when the meal was ended, and Mr. Bean sleeping 
quietly in his room, she insisted on being allowed to take 
her trick at the wheel in order that the helmsman might 
be released for a short time. 

Ben followed her on deck, and there, where the absence 
of so many men spoke eloquently of the tragedy which 
had occurred, they naturally fell to discussing the exciting 
incidents which had been experienced. 

“ Of course the Manilamen were the instigators of the 
mutiny,” Miss Dunham said, as the helmsman went for- 
ward to join his mates around the mess-kids, “and surely 
they knew nothing of navigation, so it puzzles me to make 
out what they intended to do in case of success.” 

“ I reckon that is a question they could n’t answer if 
they were on board to hear you ask it. The only decent 
thing they have done in the whole business was to drown 
themselves, for if they were here now they would be a 
constant source of anxiety. I should never feel safe with 
those fellows, no matter how heavily they were ironed.” 

“ Did n’t Bart tell you what their plans were ? ” 

“ I never asked him.” 

“ But he seems repentant ?” 

“Yes, I fancy he is, because he knows what awaits 
him when we reach port.” 

“ Why don’t you question him now he ’s in a proper 
frame of mind? ” 

“Well, as a matter of fact I haven’t much curiosity 
about it ; but if you are interested I will do so at once 
while there is a good opportunity.” 


246 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ I wish you would.” 

Ben would have gone much farther than the forecastle 
to have gratified any desire of his sweetheart’s, and started 
at once. 

Bart was just finishing the basin of soup brought by old 
Eliphalet, when the captain descended the ladder into the 
dingy place occupied by the crew. 

“ How are you feeling now ? ” Ben asked. 

“ Better than I ’ve got any right to, an’ a good deal 
better than I should if I ’d mutinied against some other 
captains I know of.” 

“ I don’t want you to get in the way of thinking 
I am a safe man to play any such games with, for 
you have n’t got to the end of the thing yet,” Ben said, 
gravely. 

“ I understand all that, sir, an’ you ’ve treated me like 
a white man by tyin’ up my leg, for that’s more’n I’d 
have got in a good many ships.” 

“ Look here, my lad, if you think you ’ve got any cause 
for gratitude, I want you to show it now by giving me the 
full details of this mutiny.” 

“I’m willin’ to tell you everything I know, sir,” was 
the prompt reply. 

“ Very well, begin by explaining what the coolies idea 
was of getting the brig into St. Helena ? ” 

“ They allowed that if she had put in there for water, 
it would be a job that would last a couple of days, and the 
first night after cornin’ to an anchor them in the cabin was 
to be overpowered an’ robbed. Then it was a case of 


SHOE T- HANDED. 247 

takin’ to one of the small boats an’ headin’ for the gold 
coast.” 

“ Did they count on making it in the boat ? ” 

“ Isdra claimed it could be done.” 

“ But why did you think there was anything on board 
worth stealing which could be carried away ? ” 

“ It was Isdra again, sir. He said you took treasure 
on at Macao, belongin’ to the owner.” 

“ Well, I ’ll tell you for your satisfaction, my man, that 
outside of what little money the mates and I had in our 
pockets — probably not over two hundred dollars all told, 
— there wasn’t a cent’s worth aft, that could have done 
you any good whatever. Was it Isdra who wasted the 
water ? ” 

“ He helped it along, sir, after the casks burst.” 

“Why wasn’t he satisfied to carry the same scheme 
into execution when we should put into Ascension ? ” 

“ ’Cause there were some friends of his at St. Helena, 
an’ he counted on takin’ them with us to the gold coast. 
And now I don’t expect you to believe me, captain, yet it 
is true, them fellers agreed solemnly with us what went 
inter the job, that there was no blood to be spilled. When 
the attack was made on the mates I knew no more about 
it than you did at the moment.” 

“ Who killed Freeman ? ” 

“ Isdra, sir, an’ when the rest of us would have drawn 
back ’cause he had gone further than was agreed on, he 
threatened us with his revolver, an’, after what had hap- 
pened, we. knew he would n’t hesitate to kill us any 


248 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


more ’n he had the mates. It was a question of goin’ 
into a scheme to rob the brig, sir, an’ findin’ ourselves 
in a reg’lar murderin’ scrape. That ’s God’s truth, sir, 
whether you believe it or not.” 

The man spoke so earnestly that Ben could not fail to 
believe him, but he made no comment whatever upon the 
confession. 

After examining the bandages to make sure they were 
yet in place, he returned to Miss Dunham with the story 
the mutineer had told him. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


ASCENSION, 



HEN night came the little brig was snugged down 


* * so that her small crew could readily reduce the 
canvas in case of a decided and sudden change in the 
weather, and all hands believed they would be able to 
make the run to Ascension, short-handed as they were, 
without any excessive labour. 

As a matter of course each of the four men understood 
that it was necessary for him to do the work of at least 
two able-bodied seamen, and was perfectly satisfied that 
such should be the case, — the mutineers, because they 
wanted to retrieve themselves in some slight degree, and 
Bob and Sam, because of the admiration they felt for the 
young captain in the plucky fight he was making against 
adverse circumstances. 

The entry in the captain’s journal for Saturday, January 
1 2th, the day after the mutineers were vanquished, reads : 

“ The day begins with light trades, smooth sea, and fine weather. 
4 P. m. The trades freshened, and the day ends fair.” 

Sunday and Monday the record of the voyage is virtu- 
ally the same. 

It seemed as if the elements, which had been conspiring 


250 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


against the little brig, were now working in her favour, 
and more than once during these three days which elapsed 
before making Ascension Island, did Bob state as his posi- 
tive conviction that it was all owing to the fact that there 
was no longer on board the fatal number of thirteen 
persons. 

From the time the young captain regained possession 
of his vessel until the 15 th of the month, it was not 
necessary to start a single rope, the trade-winds carrying 
her steadily onward, until at half-past five on the afternoon 
of Tuesday, Ascension appeared east, one-half north, dis- 
tant twenty-five miles. 

Darwin describes the island as follows : 

“ A solitary island in the Atlantic Ocean, in latitude 70° 56' 
S. and longitude 14 0 24' W. about seven and one -half miles in 
length, and six in breadth, with an area of thirty-four square miles, 
and within the immediate influence of the southeast trade-wind. 
The whole character of the island is volcanic, and its surface is 
broken into mountains, hills, and ravines. The chief productions 
of the island are green vegetables. Ascension has long been noted 
for the abundance of turtle and turtle eggs found on its shores, the 
season lasting from December to May or June. The coasts abound 
with a variety of fish of excellent quality. The island was discov- 
ered by the Portuguese navigator, Juan de Nora, on Ascension day, 
1501; but remained uninhabited till after the arrival of Napoleon 
at St. Helena (181 5), when it was taken possession of by the British 
Government. The garrison, with their retainers, resided in George 
Town, on the northwest coast, which is abundantly supplied with 
fresh water from a magnificent cistern capable of containing 1 700 
tons of water, supplied by means of iron pipes from springs, in the 
Green Mountain, six miles distant, which were reached by boring, in 


ASCENSION. 


251 


1830. Ascension is found useful as a station and rendezvous for 
the vessels employed on the coasts of Africa and Brazil ; and letters 
were formerly often left by passing ships in a crevice in one of the 
rocks.” 

% 

With Miss Dunham at the wheel the brig was hauled 
around for the land, and by nine o’clock in the even- 
ing she lay with her main-yard to the mast, awaiting a 
visit from the harbour-master, who came twenty minutes 
later. 

He was much too cautious a man to venture on board 
without first knowing the condition of the crew, as to 
health, and, to the no slight mystification of Ben, mutely 
extended a pair of tongs as he stood on the thwart of his 
boat, which was held under the brig’s quarter by the oars- 
map. 

‘‘Well, that’s a trick ahead of me/’ Ben said, laugh- 
ingly. “ I wonder what the old chap ’s driving at now ? ” 

“He wants your papers,” Miss Dunham said. “When 
I was in here with father he went through the same ma- 
noeuvres.” 

“ Why don’t he come aboard and look at them like a 
civilised being ? ” 

“ Hand them down to him, and you ’ll soon find out.” 

Ben did as she suggested, and the cautious official fu- 
migated them carefully with sulphur before venturing to 
open them, Ben, in the meanwhile, carrying on a conver- 
sation with him, which was frequently interrupted by a 
fit of sneezing on the part of one or the other as the 
fumes of sulphur assailed them. 


252 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“What is our chance of picking up two or three men 
here ? ” the young captain asked. 

“ Mighty poor just now. I don’t believe there’s a sailor 
in port but what has a tassel to his handkerchief, and 
that ’s equal to saying there are none ready to ship.” 

“ Then there are some here ? ” 

“ I could n’t say as to that ; but I ’ 11 go bail, if there 
are any, you ’ll have trouble to get them aboard.” 

“Can I find a surgeon at this time of night ?” 

“ I reckon so. What ’s the matter ? ” 

“A Manilaman cut the mate pretty badly four days ago, 
and I ’d like a surgeon to see him, although I’m not cer- 
tain there ’s any real necessity for it.” 

“ I reckon you can find Dr. Bray without any difficulty. 
Keep those two tall trees in range, over there on the eastern 
point, and you ’ll have good anchorage in seven fathoms.” 

By this time the brig’s papers had been freed from all 
taint of disease, in case they had ever been so infected, 
and a brief investigation of them was sufficient to show 
that there was nothing to prevent the officials allowing 
the little craft to come to an anchor. 

Miss Dunham remained at the wheel. 

Ben gave his orders, and obeyed them at the same time, 
until the brig was in the position designated, when one 
anchor was let go. 

Bob was forward while the young captain stood on the 
quarter-deck, and as the vessel began to swing the sailor 
shouted : 

“ The chain has parted, sir, with thirty fathoms out ? ” 


ASCENSION. 


253 


“ Let go your gaskets and foretopsails ! ” Ben shouted, 
as he sprang forward, crying to his “ chief mate,” “ Hard 
down your helm.” 

For a few* moments all was confusion. 

The brig was rapidly drifting down on the reef, which 
extended a quarter of a mile from the easternmost point 
of the harbour, and even had there been a full crew on 
board, matters would have been no less dangerous, for 
the four sailors and the captain worked as possibly they 
never had done before, after which they could only stand 
by to wait until time should show whether she was swing- 
ing clear of the frowning rocks. 

During ten minutes disaster seemed inevitable ; then 
the light winds carried the brig safely beyond the threat- 
ening reef, and, with hardly a fathom to spare, she bounded 
away into the darkness of night from the haven where it 
had been hoped she would receive the necessary addition 
to her crew and stores. 

“ Are you not going to put about ? ” Miss Dunham asked, 
anxiously, as the moments passed, and Ben stood on the 
quarter-deck in silence. 

“ That’s exactly what I am considering now.” 

“ Considering ? Why, there ’s no question about it, is 
there ? ” 

“ I ’m not so certain. It will take us all night to work 
back, and, short-handed as we are, I doubt if it can be 
done in that time. We run the risk of fooling around 
here two or three days, and then putting the little craft 
on the rocks after all. ,r 


254 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ But are you seriously thinking of continuing the voy- 
age ? ” Miss Dunham asked, in alarm. 

“ I am,” Ben replied, more decidedly than she had ever 
heard him speak to her before. 

“ Short of water ? ” 

“We shall be able to catch some. Thirty -six hours 
won’t go by without showers, and some spare canvas 
slung amidships would soon catch enough to fill every 
cask on board. 

“ But you have only four men.” 

“ Counting you and myself, we are six.” 

“ Could you expect to reach port with that number ? ” 

“ I shall have to try, even if we stay around here two 
or three days working into Ascension, for the harbour- 
master was positive there were no sailors to be had 
there. Counting the time it would take us to come to an 
anchorage, saying nothing of the great amount of labour 
necessary, we shall be five days nearer New York by filling 
away on the true course now, and, after all, could gain, by 
stopping, only the water which I am positive we shall get 
from the heavens before the stock is seriously reduced. 
You must remember there are now four mouths the less 
to drink it.” 

Miss Dunham was silent. 

To her it seemed almost foolhardy to continue the voy- 
age under such circumstances, and while she could advise 
when he asked her opinion, she did not think it proper, 
whatever their relations might be, to say the slightest 
word in opposition to his announced intention. 


ASCENSION. 


255 


Hurriedly Ben ran over the situation in his own mind, 
the chances for and the chances against his doing as he 
proposed, and before five minutes had elapsed he was 
decided. 

“ Lads,” he said, addressing the men who were stand- 
ing amidships wondering why the brig was not put about, 
“ there ’s no chance of our getting sailors at Ascension, 
and every reason to believe we shall have water in plenty 
before two days more have passed, for in these latitudes 
we sha’ n’t be long without rain, and I ask if you are will- 
ing to help me work the brig, few in numbers as we 
are ? ” 

“ We ’re bound to do as you think best, sir,” Bob 
replied, after waiting a few seconds to learn whether Sam 
had any remark to make. “ If you think it ’s a venture 
with any show of safety, why, say the word an’ we ’re 
standin’ by.” 

“ Then we ’ll put about on our course. There would be 
too much labour required to make Ascension, with not 
enough at the end to warrant the expenditure of time and 
strength. If there was a show of adding to the crew, I 
would hold on for running in, however much time we 
might spend ; but so long as there is n’t, I believe it best 
for the safety of all that we point the old hooker’s nose 
toward a home port once more.” 

“We can trust you, captain,” Sam said, emphatically, 
and while the two mutineers made no remark, their actions 
showed that they were perfectly willing to do anything 
which lay in their power, at however great a risk. 


2 56 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


Miss Dunham remained at the wheel until the brig was 
put on her true course again, and then, at the positive 
command of Ben that she go below and turn in, she 
retired to the cabin. 

It was necessary she should speak to the invalid, who 
by this time was getting along very much more comfort- 
ably than had been anticipated, and in answer to his ques- 
tions she explained what had been decided upon, asking 
in conclusion : 

“ Do you think it will be possible to get the brig into 
port in her condition ?” 

“ Not only possible, but more than probable,” Mr. Bean 
replied, very decidedly. “ Captain Thompson is a man who 
can do an enormous amount of work, and if I was only 
able to perform my part, and allow him to get his neces- 
sary share of sleep, I should have no hesitation in saying 
that the best thing he could do would be to give Ascen- 
sion the go-by.” 

“ I can help him very much while it is fair,” the young 
girl said. “ But in case we should get a series of squalls, 
such as we have had, I tremble for the result.” 

“ But we are not likely in this latitude to have any such 
weather, so on that score you may set your mind at rest. 
The most you can do to help just now will be to follow his 
orders implicitly, get all the sleep you can to-night, so that 
he may be able to turn in to-morrow.” 

“ Is there nothing more I can do for you ?” 

“ Nothing ; and if there should be, old Eliphalet can 
attend to me. Since you have taken him in hand he has 


ASCENSION. 257 

done more work, I ’ll venture to say, in three days than 
he ever did in three weeks.” 

Then the “chief mate,” feeling a heaviness of heart 
at the prospect before them, retired to her room, and on 
the deck the young captain paced to and fro, questioning 
in his own mind, now when it was too late to retract from 
the position he had taken, whether or no he was acting 
wisely in thus attempting what his father would unques- 
tionably have said was a reckless piece of work. 

Since the mutiny, Ben, as a matter of course, had been 
on deck during all the hours of darkness, therefore this 
first night after leaving Ascension was nothing new in the 
way of work, and even had it been he would not have felt 
any undue amount of fatigue, owing to the anxiety which 
beset him now he was fully committed to the scheme of 
making the home port with no officers and only four 
sailors. 

Until after having left Ascension, he had hoped for 
unusually fair weather ; but now his one desire was for 
rain, and he was perfectly willing it should come with an 
accompaniment of wind, rather than not at all. 

It was destined, however, he should not be called upon 
to pay such a price for water, and it might have proven 
an extravagant one had the downfall brought with it a 
hurricane. 

Before midnight clouds began to gather in the sky ; the 
wind did not increase perceptibly, and the sea was run- 
ning smoothly, so that the little brig remained almost on 
an even keel. 


f 

258 THE BOY CAPTAIN. 

Bob was on duty at the time, and the young captain said 
to him : 

“The water we need is coming, my lad, and is well 
worth arousing all hands for. While matters hold as they 
are we can catch every drop that falls inboard. Call Sam 
and his mate, and sling as much spare canvas as you can. 
If these clouds fulfil their promise we shall have a full 
allowance before morning.” 

“And they will, sir; there’s no question about it,” the 
old sailor replied, with a sage look at the sky. “ I allow the 
water part of our trouble has pretty nigh come to an end, 
and it ’s all owin’ to the luck of gettin’ rid of thirteen. If 
it was no more than them yeller villains what have gone 
to Davy Jones’s locker, an’ Mr. Bean was all right, I ’d say 
the mutiny was a precious good job.” 

“ Do you really believe in such nonsense as that the 
number thirteen brings bad luck ? ” 

“Do I believe it? How can I help it? Look at it 
yourself, sir. We had a full complement of men on board, 
an’ everything in plenty. What was the result ? Why 
things were going wrong end foremost all the time, with 
a mutiny to top it off. Then we get reduced to nine, an’ 
see how comfortable-like we’re workin’ ! ” 

Ben did not attempt to persuade the man he was wrong 
in being thus superstitious, for it suited him well that the 
few sailors he had at his command should believe the fates 
were with them. 

His orders were executed promptly, for the crew were 
eager to have a full allowance of water once more, and 


ASCENSION. 


259 


when the rain descended, gentle and copious as a summer 
shower, there was a sufficient amount of canvas spread to 
catch as much as filled every spare cask on board. 

Ben remained at the wheel, and the men had nothing 
to do save take in the needed supply and store it away. 

“ It’s done, sir,” Bob cried, cheerily, before the shower 
had ceased. “ We ’ve filled every blessed cask, and did 
so easier than if we ’d fooled ’round tryin’ to bring it from 
on shore.” 

The men, when admitted to the confidence of the cap- 
tain, as would never have been the case if a full comple- 
ment of sailors had been on board, assumed a familiar 
manner of speaking, which Ben would not have counte- 
nanced under other circumstances ; but now that it^was 
essential that each should exert himself to the utmost, 
even beyond his strength, the young captain believed he 
could accomplish more by putting aside the dignity which 
the commander of a ship necessarily assumes. 

Miss Dunham came on deck shortly after sunrise, and 
said to Ben, as she insisted on taking her station at the 
wheel : 

“ I am afraid something is the matter with old Eliph- 
alet.” 

“ What causes you to have any such fear as that ? ” 

“ He has got the idea in his head that we have all the 
water aboard we need. He told me your orders were, the 
full allowance of three gallons should be given out ; he 
insisted you said so.” 

“ And that is right. We are now well supplied.” 


26 o 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ Did you put back to Ascension last night ? ” 

“ Not by any manner of means. Good water came on 
board just the same, and with precious little work.” 

Then Ben explained what had been done while she was 
asleep, saying, as he concluded a recital of the incidents 
of the night : 

“ Bob insists we had no luck because there were thir- 
teen aboard ; but that now everything will go along 
smoothly.” 

“ It does begin to look like it,” the young girl said, as 
if surprised that she had never thought of such a thing 
before. 

“ Figure it out in any way to suit yourself, so long as 
we have plenty to drink,” Ben replied, merrily, and then 
he saluted his “chief mate” in what he considered a 
proper and sailorly fashion, regardless of the fact that the 
watch on deck could see his every movement. 

“ We have certainly been fortunate, and, although I was 
doubtful yesterday as to the wisdom of attempting to con- 
tinue the voyage, I am beginning to believe we shall con- 
clude it in safety.” 

“ And I pray you may be correct in your belief,” Ben 
replied, gravely, “ for success now means to me more than 
it ever did, since, unless I remain captain of a ship, I can 
never ask a captain’s daughter to marry me, however will- 
ing she may be to sacrifice herself. 

“ It has not yet been shown to me that a captain’s 
daughter would sacrifice herself by marrying a man she 
cared for, even if he did not chance to occupy a higher 


ASCENSION. 


26l 

position than that of mate,” Miss Dunham replied, with 
a merry laugh, and at this moment old Eliphalet broke in 
upon the conversation, which had grown interesting to two 
at least, with the announcement that breakfast was served. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


SIGNALING. 

B EFORE partaking of the morning meal Ben looked 
in upon the wounded mate, and found him decidedly 
more comfortable than might have been expected. 

“ I am getting along first-class,” Mr. Bean said, “ and 
even surprise myself. I never supposed a man could 
receive such a slashing as I got without mortal injury, 
yet it must be that the coolie’s creese failed to do more 
than inflict a flesh wound.” 

“I think we can safely say you are on the fair road to 
recovery,” Ben added, cheerily, for the knowledge that 
Mr. Bean was in such a wonderfully good bodily condition 
caused the difficulties of the situation to seem much less 
than on the night previous. 

Then the young captain told of the method by which 
the supply of water had been replenished, and proposed 
he exercise what little surgical skill he possessed in sewing 
up the wound, but to this proposition the mate objected. 

“ There ’s no question but that it ’s healing, and I count 
on being moved in three or four days at the longest.” 

“ Want to get into the cabin, eh ? ” Ben said, laugh- 
ingly. 

“ No, sir. My desire is to be on deck. If I can stay 


SIGNALING. 


263 


there, even though it be necessary to remain sitting, it 
will relieve you just so much, and that is of great impor- 
tance to us all.” 

“We won’t waste our time talking about that,” the 
young captain replied. “ It will be enough if your life is 
saved without thinking of what you might be able to do 
toward working the brig.” 

Although Ben had dismissed the matter so lightly, he 
was thinking very seriously of what the mate had said, for 
with Mr. Bean able to move around, even though he could 
perform no hard labour, the work of running the brig 
would be materially lessened, so far as he was concerned. 

With this thought in his mind, and the knowledge that 
there was no longer any danger of suffering from thirst, 
the young captain was a very cheerful companion, and 
Miss Dunham was not a little surprised that he should 
be able so quickly to throw off the cares which had 
beset him. 

“You are feeling decidedly better than when I left the 
deck last night,” she said, as he gave proof of his light- 
ness of heart by laughing at a mistake which old Eliphalet 
made in serving the food. 

“ And, indeed, I have good cause to be. In the first 
place I am sitting opposite the dearest little woman in the 
world, whom I have good reason to believe has a certain 
amount of affection for this graduate from the forecastle. 
Then again, we accomplished in two or three hours, with- 
out labour, all that could have been done by running into 
Ascension, and our invalid is getting along finely. The 


264 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


weather is as favourable as it possibly could be ; the men 
are willing, and it begins to look as if the Progressive 
Age would reach port despite all the dangers which have 
threatened.” 

“ Have you seen Bart this morning ? ” 

“ No ; but Sam tells me he is resting comfortably. I 
fancy if the fear of what is to follow when we reach port 
was removed from his mind he would be around very 
speedily.” 

“ I believe him to be thoroughly repentant.” 

“There ’s no question about that.” 

“And shall you deliver him up to the authorities as 
soon as we arrive ? ” 

“ I don’t see any other way out of it. I must make my 
report, and although I am convinced he was telling me 
the truth when he said the agreement was that no blood 
should be spilled, he has been engaged in a mutiny, which 
cost four lives, therefore must be punished.” 

“ And the other two men ? ” 

“ Suppose we don’t talk of this just now,” Ben replied. 
“ They are turning to like tigers in the effort to work the 
brig, and I don’t like to think they are doing all this 
simply to find themselves in jail immediately after our 
arrival.” 

“ But you can’t let them off lightly, and leave Bart to 
suffer all the punishment. One is as guilty as the other.” 

“ Yes, and that ’s what troubles me just now. There is 
no need to cross a bridge till you get to it,” and Ben put 
an end to the conversation by going on deck. 


SIGNALING. 


26 5 


Miss Dunham followed him to take her trick at steer- 
ing, and the same trade-wind which had brought them 
thus far from St. Helena continued to blow with unvary- 
ing force, therefore, after the men had broken their fast, 
all hands, except the helmsman, had ample opportunity 
for rest. 

Miss Dunham insisted that the young captain go into 
his room and get some sleep, promising he should be 
called whenever there was the slightest indication of a 
change in the weather, and until noon the little craft 
dashed on merrily through the waters, as if to give promise 
to the remnant of her crew that she would bear them 
safely to port without further troubles or mishaps. 

About an hour before noon Miss Dunham called Sam 
to relieve her at the wheel, while she went first to visit 
Mr. Bean and then to the forecastle. 

The mate reported himself as “ improving each mo- 
ment,” and the mutineer was much in the same con- 
dition. 

“ You are very good, miss, to ask about a man who has 
done what I have,” he said, after replying to her ques- 
tions, “ and whatever happens to me when I get ashore, I 
shall never forget your kindness. How I could ever let 
them murderin’ coolies pull me into such a job, is more ’n 
I can figger out.” 

“ It is best not to trouble your head over such matters 
now,” Miss Dunham replied, gently. “You want to bend 
all your energies to getting well, so you can assist the 
others in working the brig.” 


2 66 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


“ If I hadn’t let myself be drawn into the villainy by 
the stories told of gold to be found on the coast of 
Guinea, I should n’t be layin’ here with a bullet - hole in 
my knee, nor would the little brig be short-handed.” 

“ That is very true ; but since it has all happened, 
there is nothing left for you but to repent having been 
so wicked.” 

“ That I do most sincerely, miss, but I ’m afraid if I 
say too much about it the captain will think I’m a 
whinin’. I ’ve seen old shellbacks put on church-goin’ 
airs, when they got into a scrape, an’ never thought half 
so much of them as if they had stood up like men, an’ 
taken the dose they’d earned. Now I bought my medi- 
cine, an’ am goin’ to swallow it without makin’ up a 
face.” 

“ Get well as soon as you can, and then do everything 
possible toward working the brig into port. It will count 
a great deal in your favour, and it may be that things will 
not be as bad for you as they now look,” Miss Dunham 
replied, cheerily, for she pitied the man, even though he 
had proved himself to be such a villain. 

“ I only hope the captain will give me a chance, an’ 
I ’ll come out of this place as soon as it is possible for 
me to step.” 

“You shall have all the opportunity to prove you are 
sorry for the part taken in the mutiny. It has cost the 
lives of four men, and — ” 

“ It was only the coolies who are responsible, miss. I 
want you an’ the captain to believe what I told him last 


SIGNALING. 


267 


night, that me an’ my mates joined in the scheme only 
after the understanding that there would be no killin’ 
done. We would have left the brig in bad condition, if 
our plans had worked, but God knows murder was n’t a 
part of them.” 

“ I believe you, and so does the captain, I think. You 
can yet be of a great deal of assistance during this voy- 
age, therefore do your best to repay Captain Thompson 
for his kindly treatment of you since the brig has been 
retaken,” Miss Dunham said, as she scrambled, not un- 
gracefully, up the forecastle ladder, and left the repentant 
mutineer calling down blessings upon her head. 

It was necessary Ben should be summoned shortly be- 
fore noon, in order to take an observation, and when eight 
bells was made the brig was found to be in latitude 5° 27' 
south, longitude 18 0 39' west. 

Just at the hour of noon Bob sighted a sail far down on 
the horizon to the northward, evidently steering directly 
toward them, and Ben himself went aloft with the glass to 
scan the on-coming craft. 

“ She is a full-rigged ship, standing as close to the wind 
as possible. We ’ll make our course a little more north- 
erly, in order to speak her,” he said to Miss Dunham, 
when he was on the quarter-deck once more. “Now to 
overhaul the signal-flags,” and, forced to wait upon him- 
self, owing to the shortness of the crew, Ben ran below 
for the tiny bits of colour with which mariners can com- 
municate their condition and desires. 

“ How long will it be before you have the chance to use 


268 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. \ 


those ? ” Miss Dunham asked, as Ben began arranging 
the signals. 

‘‘Three or four hours at the latest.” 

“ Are you certain we shall overhaul her before dark ? ” 

“ Yes ; unless we do those flags will be useless.” 

“ Are you going below again soon ?” 

“ No, indeed ; I ’ve had sleep enough to last me twenty- 
four hours. But why did you ask ? ” 

“ Because, unless you want more rest, suppose you ex- 
plain to me the meaning of the signals. I have often in- 
tended to ask father ; but forgot it when he had leisure to 
talk with me. There ’s nothing to be done for the brig 
just now, and surely the chief mate should understand the 
mystery of signaling.” 

“It is very simple,” Ben replied, “for with the code 
one who had never seen them could, after some little 
study, work them as well as an old hand. Now, to begin 
with, there are eighteen in the International code, which 
are these,” and Ben laid out successively a burgee, four 
pennants and thirteen square flags. 

“ But it would take a person very long to study that 
code,” Miss Dunham said, as she looked at the large book 
with its many printed pages, which Ben opened. 

“There’s no necessity of having it all at one’s finger 
ends, for you can find, by the same method as in a dic- 
tionary, the ordinary sentences you wish to use. In addi- 
tion to the International code, there is a pennant code, 
and nearly all the nations of the globe use the two to- 
gether as set down here.” 


SIGNALING. 


269 


Then Ben read the following : 

Burgee : B — red, swallowtail. 

Pennants : C — white, with red spots ; D — blue, with white spots ; 
F — red, with white spots ; G — yellow-blue, in two vertical stripes. 

Square flags: H — white-red, in two vertical stripes ; J — blue- 
white-blue, in three horizontal stripes; K — yellow-blue, in two ver- 
tical stripes ; L — blue and yellow, in four alternate checks ; M — 
blue, with white diagonal cross ; N — blue and white, in sixteen 
alternate checks ; P — blue, with white centre ; Q — yellow, quar- 
antine ; R — red, with yellow right cross ; S — white, with blue cen- 
tre ; P — red-white-blue, in three vertical stripes; V — white, with 
red diagonal cross ; W — blue-white-red, in three borders. 

Code pennant: Code signal — Red and white, in five vertical 
stripes. This code is also utilised as answering signal. 

“ Now, in case ships are several miles apart, with a 
heavy sea running, when it would be difficult to read two, 
three, or four hoisted at the same time,” he said, as he 
sorted out the bits of bunting once more, “this special 
code is prepared for single flags. Here are a few of the 
questions or answers which can be made with them.” 

He laid out each square in turn as he read the signifi- 
cation : 

B — Ask name of ship or signal station in sight. 

C — Yes. 

D— No. 

F — Repeat signal, or hoist it in a more conspicuous place. 

G — Cannot distinguish your flags. Come nearer, or make dis- 
tance signals. 

H — You may communicate by the semaphore, if you please. 

j — Stop, or bring to. Something important to communicate. 

K — Have you any telegrams or dispatches for me ? 


270 


THE BOY CAPTAIN . i 


L — Want a pilot. Can I have one? 

M — Want a tug. Can I have one? 

N — What is the meteorological weather forecast ? 

P — Call attention of signal station in sight. 

Q — Vessel asks for orders by telegraph from owner. 

R — Report me by telegraph to my owner. 

S — Send the following message by telegraph. 

T — Send the following message by the signal letters through 
the telegraph. 

“ As a matter of course, the signal-flag code is limited, ” 
Ben said, as he prepared to rearrange his flags. “ Now, 
here are some two-flag signals when the burgee must 
always be uppermost,” and once more he had recourse to 
the book : 

1 — Attention or demand ; B D meaning, “ What ship is that ? ” 

2 — B H meaning, “Vessels that wish to be reported all well show 
your distinguishing signals.” 

“ That serves to show this especial way of working, and 
it can be continued to a great many questions or answers ; 
but if we replace the burgee with the pennant the reading 
is different,” and Ben, observing that his sweetheart was 
deeply interested, continued the lesson. “ If the square 
flag is raised in the place of the pennant, then again is 
the meaning changed. There are also three and four-flag 
signals, which can also be varied according to the code- 
flag, until, as you see by the number of pages here, a cap- 
tain can tell another a great deal of news while remaining 
at a distance. Now here are the most important mes- 
sages to be flashed across the sea by those bits of bunt- 


SIGNALING. 


27 1 


ing, and ones which every shipmaster should have in his 
memory, so there would be no necessity of referring to 
the instructions. They are, as many as I can remember, 
these,” and at each sentence Ben spread out the flags 
referred to. 

H B — Want immediate assistance. 

H D — No assistance can be rendered. 

H F — We are coming to your assistance. 

H J — Boat, or life-boat, cannot come. 

H K — Boat in distress. 

H L — Do not attempt to land your own boats. 

H M — Man overboard. 

H T — Damaged mast ; cannot sail. 

H V — Damaged rudder ; cannot steer. 

H W — Machinery disabled. 

J B — Acfcident ; want a surgeon. 

J D — You are standing into danger. 

J F — You are in a dangerous position. 

J P — Heavy weather coming ; look sharp. 

K D — Stand by. 

K Q — The channel has altered ; do not try it. 

K R — Dangerous without a pilot. 

L S — Put to sea at once ; get an offing. 

L V — Shift your berth ; your berth is unsafe. 

M L — Quit the vessel as fast as possible. 

N C — In distress; want assistance. 

N D — I must abandon the vessel. 

N F — Do not abandon me. 

N G — I am unmanageable. 

N H — I am on fire. 

N P — Fire gains rapidly ; take people off. 

N S — I have sprung a leak. 


2J2 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


N P — Leak gaining rapidly. 

N V — I am sinking. 

P C — Want assistance; mutiny. 

P D — Want immediate assistance. 

P F — Want boat or boats immediately. 

P H — Want food; starving. 

P J — Want coal immediately. 

P K — Want an anchor. 

P S — Want hands. 

“ This last signal is the one we shall use when the ship 
is near enough,” Ben said, as he laid the two squares of 
bunting aside ready for bending on the halliards, “and 
I reckon your lesson has lasted long enough. After this, 
with the aid of the code, you should be able to carry on 
a decently long conversation at sea.” 

“ It is well to know about such things, even if there is 
never an opportunity to use one’s knowledge,” Miss Dun- 
ham replied, with a laugh. “ I ’ve come to believe that at 
sea it is always the unexpected which happens, and one 
can never make too many preparations.” 

“And you are correct there. It seems to me since 
this voyage began as if you had prepared yourself for 
very nearly everything. There is precious little in the 
way of sea happenings that we haven’t had already.” 

Eliphalet announced dinner, Bob took the wheel, and 
the captain and his “ chief mate ” went below. 

Before the two had finished the meal, Bob called down 
through the skylight to say that the approaching ship 
was standing off on the long tack, and, unless the brig’s 
course was speedily changed, the stranger would pass so 


SIGNALING . 273 

far to the eastward of them that it would be impossible to 
signal. 

“ Shift your helm to meet her, and run up the ensign, 
union down,” Ben replied. 

“Ay, ay, sir.” 

“ Do you think you are warranted in setting the distress 
signal ? ” Miss Dunham asked, as Bob hurried away to 
execute the commands, for she had been taught that such 
a sign should not be made except in the last extremity. 

“ I don’t know who would be warranted in doing it if 
we are not,” Ben replied. “ No reasonable-minded cap- 
tain could object to being brought to by a brother master 
who was as short-handed as we are.” 

“ It hardly seems likely you will be able to borrow any 
men from her.” 

“ That is very true, and yet at the same time there is 
a chance. They might manage to let me have one, which 
would help out amazingly just now, when every man of 
ours is obliged to do the work of three.” 

This was the first time Ben had acknowledged there 
might be any question of making port with the small crew 
at his command, and Miss Dunham now understood that 
he had refrained from telling her of all the trouble in his 
mind. 

As a matter of course she understood how difficult, 
perhaps impossible, it might be to continue the voyage 
short-handed; but until now she had no idea Ben felt 
seriously disturbed regarding the result. 

The remainder of the meal was eaten hurriedly, and 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


274 

when the two went on deck, the brig was sailing more to 
the eastward in order to intercept the stranger, who, with 
all sail set, was standing on her course. 

“ Have you seen any sign that they noticed your 
signal ? ” Ben asked, and Bob, who was pacing to and fro 
on the quarter-deck with the air of an officer in command, 
said : 

“ No, sir, I reckon we are a little too far away yet. 
They would n’t be likely to pay much attention to so small 
a craft as this, seeing ’s how it don’t stand to reason they ’re 
in need of us as we are of them.” 

An hour passed, during which time it seemed positive 
those aboard the ship must have seen the signal of dis- 
tress, and yet she had continued on the eastward tack, 
making almost a free wind. 

Twice Ben hauled the Progressive Age around more 
easterly after Miss Dunham came to the wheel, and when 
the course was set so they must intercept the stranger, 
whether the latter desired it or not, the young girl asked : 

“ Are n’t you running very far to the eastward ? ” 

“Yes,” Ben replied, impatiently. “If that fellow is 
such a grump as not to be willing to come up on the wind 
a little in order to help a fellow out in distress, I ’ll over- 
haul him whether he likes - it or not, even if we lose a 
day’s time by it.” 

At the expiration of another hour, the two vessels had 
approached so nearly to each other that, by the aid of the 
glass, it was possible to distinguish clearly the ship’s deck. 

Not until he was perfectly satisfied the stranger must 


SIGNALING. 


275 


have seen his flag half-masted, did Ben think of doing 
more than scrutinise her with the naked eye; but now, 
finding he was receiving no attention whatever, the young 
captain leveled the glass at the on-coming craft. 

One hasty survey, and an exclamation of surprise burst 
from his lips. 

Then he looked again and more steadily, after which he 
wiped the lenses as if fancying his eyes were playing him 
some trick, and Miss Dunham asked anxiously : 

“ What is the matter ? What do you see ? ” 

“ It is what I don’t see that puzzles me,” the young 
captain replied, in a tone of perplexity. “ Here, take these,, 
and see what you can make out,” Ben added, handing her 
the glasses, as he relieved her of the care of the wheel. 

Miss Dunham obeyed, and cried, an instant later ; 

“ Why I can’t see any one on deck ! ” 

“That was just my case exactly.” 

Again the young girl gazed toward the ship, and, as she 
handed the glasses back to Ben, said, in a tone very like 
that of fear : 

“ I am positive there is no one at the helm.” 

“ So am I,” Ben replied, as he looked again, and then, 
closing the glasses with a snap, he said impatiently, 
“ There ’s the chance of a lifetime, and I am to lose it 
because I ’ve no crew aboard.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“That ship is a derelict.” 

“ How is it possible that can be ? She is n’t disabled, and 
is sailing as well as if there was a full crew aboard.” 


2 76 THE BOY CAPTAIN. 

“ That is very true, and yet among the strange things 
to be met with on the sea, such a case has occurred sev- 
eral times, where a singular accident has happened on a 
sound craft, causing her master to believe she was about 
to founder, therefore has abandoned her without ascertain- 
ing the true condition of affairs. Now if I had a full 
crew, I would chase that ship until it was possible to 
board her, and fancy what a salvage for a young captain ! 
Why it would set you and me up for life ! ” 

“ But I never heard of a case of that kind,” Miss Dun- 
ham said, musingly. 

“Old Short could have told you of one which he had a* 
hand in picking up. He was a second officer on board a 
small brig hailing from New Bedford, which was dismasted 
and foundered. All hands took to the boats, and after 
they had drifted around three or four days, there came a 
dead calm just at nightfall. 

“ In the morning they saw, within a mile or so of them, 
a ship under full sail, becalmed, as a matter of course. 
They pulled toward her, hailed, and no one answered. 
Short says some of the men, shipwrecked though they 
were, and needing the planks of a vessel under their feet 
as badly as any sailormen ever did need them, were so 
frightened by the fact, that they tried to persuade the 
others not to board the craft. 

“All were not quite so superstitious luckily, and went 
on board. 

“ Everything was in the most perfect order, ropes 
neatly coiled, belaying pins in place, and no litter about 


SIGNALING. 


277 


the decks. In the forecastle each bunk had its blankets, 
and coats and hats were hanging on their hooks. In the 
cabin, however, were some few evidences of a ransacking. 
The ship’s papers were gone, and not a scrap of writing 
could be found anywhere. On removing the hatches they 
learned she was in ballast. She was dry as a bone, well 
supplied with provisions and water, ropes and braces in 
perfect order, and not a single man aboard to tell what 
had happened. All the boats were missing, however, 
which showed that the crew abandoned her probably 
through fear. If she had a mutiny, or anything of that 
kind, the evidences of it must have remained. 

“They ran into Rio Janeiro, where she was sold for 
benefit of the salvors, and was afterwards identified as the 
ship Golden Star , of San Francisco ; but no tidings of her 
officers were ever heard.” 

“ If you will excuse me, sir,” Bob, who had been stand- 
ing near the captain during the last portion of the story, 
said, respectfully, “ I will tell you of another case ; but in 
my yarn it was known why the craft was abandoned. 

“ It was the brig Equator from New York for San 
Francisco, with a cargo of turpentine. One fine mornin’ 
when she was heading about as yonder ship is, there was 
an explosion that tore off the hatches, and what appeared 
to be smoke came up out of the hold as if she was afire 
fore an’ aft. The officers and crew did n’t lose much time 
skinnin’ out of her, ’cause, owin’ to the cargo, you see, 
they was expectin’ another explosion every minute. All 
hands got over the rail without waitin’ for anything, an’ 


278 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


sat there like chumps in the boats, as she filled away an’ 
left them. Two days after she was overhauled by a tramp 
steamer, an’ found to be in first-class condition. They as 
understands such things say it was a gas from the turpen- 
tine collected in the hold, that blew off the hatches, an’ 
when it come out looked like smoke.” 

“There are several other cases on record of a sound 
craft being abandoned,” Ben replied, “but I don’t just 
remember them now. At all events, we can count on 
it there’s enough in that ship to tassel our handkerchiefs 
for life, if we could get hold of her ; but we can’t, so we 
may fill away on the true course once more.” 

The little brig was headed toward the home port again, 
and Ben watched the gallant ship until she seemed hardly 
more than a cloud in the distance. Then, with a long 
drawn sigh of regret because of the lost opportunity, he 
turned away, and Miss Dunham, who had been observing 
his every movement, said, as he did so : 

“ A captain who has had such good fortune as to come 
safely through so many perils should not allow himself to 
suffer a single pang of disappointment because he cannot 
take advantage of a chance like that.” 

“ I know it, sweetheart, and yet it is impossible not 
to consider what the capture of such a craft would mean to 
you and me.” 


CHAPTER XX. 


THE HOME PORT. 

T)Y the following morning Ben had succeeded in mas- 
tering his disappointment, and once more the only 
thought in his mind’^was how to carry the brig to her 
destination. 

Mr. Bean was improving rapidly, so much so, in fact, 
that, despite all previous forebodings and fears that he 
would not be able to leave his room during the remainder 
of the voyage, he was out of his bunk on the morning fol- 
lowing the sighting of the derelict when Ben and his 
“ chief mate” came below for breakfast. 

Miss Dunham was almost alarmed at seeing him in his 
accustomed place at the table, and Ben said, in a tone of 
reproof : 

“ I don’t think it was wise, Mr. Bean, for you to do 
anything as reckless as this. If you had concluded to 
turn out, you should have called on somebody to assist 
you, for a relapse now would put you in a worse condition 
than when the Manilaman first gave you a taste of the knife.” 

“ I did have assistance, sir,” Mr. Bean replied, with a 
smile. “When old Eliphalet came in to see what I 
wanted for breakfast, I thought it would be a good oppor- 
tunity to try my strength, and, although I could have 


2 8o 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


gotten along very well by myself, he assisted me to dress, 
helped me out, and here I am, feeling, with the exception 
of an unusual weakness, quite as hearty as ever. I am 
counting on being able to aid you in the navigation of the 
brig within the next twenty-four hours.” 

Ben’s delight at seeing his first officer on the fair road 
to a speedy recovery was so great that he could not remain 
angry very many moments, however much risk Mr. Bean 
might have incurred in leaving his room, and it was a 
jolly party the three made that morning at breakfast. 

The first officer would have brought into the conversa- 
tion the incident of the previous afternoon, but that Miss 
Dunham checked him before he had well begun, by 
saying : 

“ It is best we do not even think of that ship any 
more, for it only causes regret that we could not save her, 
and Captain Thompson has troubled his head about it 
quite as much as is necessary.” 

“ I do not think I should have attempted to overhaul 
her if I had been master of the brig, no matter how big 
my crew was.” 

“ Why not ? ” Ben asked, quickly. 

“ Because, with all canvas spread she would sail two 
miles to your one, as soon as the wind freshened, and 
there ’s no knowing what sort of water she might lead 
you into. I hold to it in a cqse like that the only chance 
of capturing the derelict is in a dead calm when you can 
overhaul her with boats.” 

“ That may be,” Ben replied, shaking his head slowly ; 


THE HOME PORT. 


28l 


“ but at the same time, if we had been in condition, I 
should have made a mighty big try for the prize.” 

The conversation was well started on the subject which 
Miss Dunham wished to banish, and, in order to turn it 
before Ben could become very deeply interested, she asked 
old Eliphalet, in an unusually loud tone, how the wounded 
sailor was getting along. 

“ He’ s perkin’ up right smart, missy, an’ I ’lows at de 
rate he ’s feedin’ now, he ’s jest ’bout gettin’ ready for 
duty. He done tole me for to arsk de cap’n ef he could' 
talk wid Mr. Bean.” 

“What answer shall Eliphalet make ?” and Miss Dun- 
ham turned toward Ben. 

“ I think that is a matter which Mr. Bean had best 
settle. Bart probably wants to repeat that he joined the 
mutineers only with the understanding that no murder 
should be done. ” 

“Is he able to get out of the forecastle?” Mr. Bean 
asked. 

“He ’lowed dat two ob de men would bring him on 
deck this yere forenoon, sah,” Eliphalet replied. 

“Then you may tell him that .1 will come forward if 
I feel able.” 

Ben and his first mate thus reminded so forcibly of the 
mutiny, discussed the incidents of that fatal night until 
the meal was finished, and it was time for Miss Dunham 
to take her trick at the wheel. 

Two hours later, while the young captain was asleep in 
his room and the brig sailing steadily on toward her desti- 


282 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


nation under cloudless skies, the first officer, with the 
assistance of Eliphalet, went forward to where the repent- 
ant mutineer was seated on the deck, leaning against 
a coil of cable. 

During at least thirty minutes the two talked earnestly, 
and when Mr. Bean came aft to where Miss Dunham 
stood at the wheel, he said : 

“ It was as the captain thought. Bart insisted on tell- 
ing me the story of his connection with the Manilamen, 
and seemed most anxious I should believe he was at least 
guiltless of the crime of murder.” 

“ How is his wound by this time ? ” 

“ Healing rapidly. He insists he could remain at the 
wheel in light weather, and wants permission to relieve 
you in the future.” 

“What does he say in regard to our arriving in port ? ” 

“He expects to be delivered up to the authorities as a 
matter of course, but his desire to aid in working the ship 
arises from the fact that he thinks by so doing he shall be 
benefited when the case comes to trial.” 

“And those two men who have been working night 
and day to expiate their sins,” Miss Dunham said, as she 
pointed to the mutineers, who were engaged in some 
trifling duty forward, “ must bear the same punishment, I 
suppose ? ” 

“ Of course. They have danced and must pay the 
piper. Two lives have been taken, and if these men were 
not directly implicated in the crime, they were concerned 
in the mutiny which committed it.” 


THE HOME PORT. 


283 


“ I cannot believe but that their story is true, and their 
agreement with the coolies was only to the effect that we 
should be robbed, and the brig abandoned.” 

“ I fancy there is no question about it. The Manilamen 
were the murderers, for I saw them kill Rogers, and am 
positive none of the white sailors were near at the time.” 

“Then these men will have to suffer for what those 
fellows did ? ” 

“ That is for the court to decide. The worst of it is 
that the rest of us will be forced to hang around on shore 
until the case comes to trial, which means no slight loss 
to a man like me, who depends entirely upon his wages,” 
Mr. Bean said, thoughtfully. 

“ I wish they could escape before we come to an 
anchor,” Miss Dunham said, half to herself. 

Bean looked up quickly, as if about to make some 
remark, and evidently thinking better of it, replied care- 
lessly : 

“ So do I ; but I suppose it ’s our duty to see that noth- 
ing of the kind happens.” 

The first officer remained on deck during the entire 
forenoon, and when, by the positive command of the cap- 
tain, he finally went below, was feeling so much stronger 
that he insisted he should resume duty the following 
morning. 

“ You can at least let me try it, captain,” he said, “ and 
if you find it is likely to do me any serious injury, it won’t 
take very much time or breath to order me below.” 

It was also decided during this conversation that Bart 


284 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


should be allowed to assist in whatever way it might be 
possible, and Bob volunteered to make a crutch for him, 
which, as he said, would patch him up as well as “a 
bloomin’ mutineer ought to expect.” 

All this was done as agreed upon, and before the week 
had come to an end, the brig was being handled, thanks 
to this addition to her small crew, as well as could be 
expected. 

The weather continued favourable in the highest degree 
until they were drawing near their destination. 

On Sunday, the 17th of February, in latitude 38° 
55' N., and longitude . 72 0 20 ' W., the following entry 
explains sufficiently the difficulty under which the limited 
crew laboured, during the forty-six hours preceding their 
arrival in the home port. 

“ This day begins with faint airs from southeast, and fine weather, 
with all sails set. 5 p. m. Fresh breezes from south-southeast, fresh- 
ening with a falling barometer. At the same time I judged myself 
to be across the Gulf Stream. 8 p. m. Fresh gales from south to 
southeast. 10 p. m. Squally, with sharp lightning from the north- 
west and northeast. Furled royals and flying jib. At midnight 
glass still falling, and weather very threatening. Furled topgallant- 
sail. 2 a. m. Wind veered around to the southwest. Single reefed 
the fore and maintopsails. 5 A. m. Heavy gales from the west, south- 
west with a very heavy sea on. Close reefed the foretopsail and 
double reefed the main. 6 a. m. Split foretopmaststaysail. 7 a. m. 
Reefed the trysail, and bent a new foretopmaststaysail ; furled the 
jib, and set foretopmast and mainstaysails. Before the foretopsail 
could be reefed, it split again above the first reef-band. Clear, cold 
weather with a heavy sea, and the brig behaves like a lady.” 


THE HOME PORT 


285 


It can well be fancied how hard and continuously the 
little crew must have laboured, before the pleasing knowl- 
edge was theirs that they were within a few hours’ sail of 
the home port, and this nerved each man, weary and 
exhausted though he was, to renewed exertions. 

Bart, yet unable to move around save with difficulty 
and at the expense of considerable pain, obeyed orders as 
if he had never received any injury, and worked with his 
two comrades in the mutiny so energetically that the 
absence of the four men was hardly felt. 

Heavy weather continued until at eight o’clock on the 
morning of Tuesday, February 19th, when a pilot -boat 
was sighted standing down for the brig, and the voyage 
was virtually at an end. 

Thirty-two hours later the anchor was let go at the 
quarantine ground in New York Bay, and the voyage 
of the bark Progressive Age had come to an end in one 
hundred and nine days from the time of her leaving port. 

Ben’s first voyage was a success, and against most 
adverse circumstances. 

“ I have gained my reputation as a sea-captain, and also 
the dearest little wife in the world,” he said, triumphantly, 
as, when the brig was swinging at her anchors, and the 
crew engaged in “ snugging down,” he came into the 
cabin where Miss Dunham was sitting. 

“ I congratulate you on the first portion of your suc- 
cess, captain, and can only say that I hope others may 
have reason to do the same on the second part.” 

“ So far as that is concerned, it is not necessary I should 


286 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


wait to find out, for I know it already, and now, sweet- 
heart, where do you propose to go ? ” 

“ I do not know. Except for you I am alone in the 
world.” 

“ Then I can settle matters very speedily. We will go 
to my mother. She will receive .you as a daughter, and 
the day I sail on my second voyage as captain will be the 
day when you shall be made my wife.” 

Although the two young people had been together so 
much, there were many minor points to be decided be- 
tween them, now that the responsibility of caring for the 
brig was taken from Ben’s shoulders, and they had been 
conversing fully two hours when Mr. Bean came below. 

“ The brig is snugged down, sir, and the anchor watch 
set ; but I have to report that the three mutineers, who 
should have been delivered up to the authorities, have 
deserted.” 

“ How did that happen ? ” Ben asked, excitedly. 

“ I cannot say, sir. The gig was lowered to set the 
pilot ashore, and while I was busy aft they must have 
sneaked off in her. Shall I send some one after the 
boat ? ” 

To have judged from the expression on the first offi- 
cer’s face, one would have said the desertion of the men 
had taken him wholly by surprise, and that he regretted 
the occurrence ; but Miss Dunham, remembering what 
she had said to him in regard to her wish -that the muti- 
neers might escape, gave him a grateful glance when the 
captain’s attention was directed to another quarter. 


THE HOME PORT. 


287 


“ Send for the boat, of course,” the young captain said, 
sharply, “and have Bob follow the fellows. By giving 
the alarm now they may be captured.” 

Miss Dunham laid her hand on his arm, as she said, 
pleadingly : 

“ Why not wait until to-morrow before reporting their 
escape ? They are thoroughly repentant, and have done 
everything in their power to help bring the brig into port. 
What real good will be effected now by punishing them ? 
If they have escaped, and without your connivance, will it 
not really be better for you ? ” 

Ben hesitated a moment, then seated himself, and said 
to Mr. Bean : 

“You may send for the gig, sir. Perhaps there will be 
time to make the report to the authorities when we are 
docked .” 

Mr. Bean bowed without making any reply, and left the 
cabin. 

At this juncture, while Miss Dunham thanks the young 
captain for having yielded to her wish, it will be well that 
we take our leave of them, without prying further into 
their private affairs. 

It was not until a late hour on the following day that 
the brig was docked, and then, while Ben was making ar- 
rangements for sending Miss Dunham ashore to a hotel, 
his mother, greatly to his surprise, came on board. 

She had seen the telegraphic news of the arrival of the 
Progressive Age , and started at once to congratulate her 
son upon having done that which, in its telling, occupied 


288 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


the greater portion of the columns of one edition of the 
daily papers devoted to maritime news. 

It was not necessary the captain should ask his mother 
to receive kindly the orphan whom he expected would 
soon be his wife. 

The young girl was given a loving welcome, for there 
was no necessity of explaining what had occurred between 
the two. 

After having seen Miss Dunham, and knowing that she 
had been in her son’s charge more than four months, Mrs. 
Thompson could readily fancy the sequel. 

Ben had expected to be received with a certain degree 
of cordiality by the owners, but he was not at all prepared 
for that which actually did happen. 

The Messrs. Pierce received him, when he entered their 
office, much as they would any other captain sailing in their 
employ, and waited patiently until he had told his story. 

Ben was not one who would go into details regarding 
his own services, and on this occasion contented himself 
simply by repeating the actual events, touching lightly 
upon his own individual efforts. Then, as if bringing the 
brig short-handed and barely provisioned was nothing in 
itself to merit any praise, he handed them his own ac- 
count with the vessel. 

“ So this is all you have to say, is it, Captain Thomp- 
son ? ” one of the gentlemen asked. 

“ Necessarily so, since that is really all there is to it. 
The brig is docked, and the consignees propose to break 
cargo this forenoon.” 



JUm 


“MRS. THOMPSON 


11 



THE HOME PORT. 


289 


“ And as for yourself, captain, what are your plans ? ” 

“ I cannot say that I have anything definite in mind, sir.” 

“ Do you prefer to go back to the forecastle with your 
father, or continue in command of a vessel ? ” 

“ It is quite natural that after a fellow has got well up 
the ladder he should object to stepping down again, and, 
as a matter of course, I am in hopes to get another 
command.” 

“ I suppose the Progressive Age is too small for you by 
this time,” the gentleman said, with a smile. 

“ I should be only too well pleased, sir, to remain her 
captain.” 

“Well, we think she is too small for you. Your story 
of bringing the brig home short - handed is very bare of 
detail ; but, fortunately, our correspondents in Hong 
Kong have sent us full particulars by steamer. Conse- 
quently we know a great deal which your modesty evi- 
dently prevented you from telling. Your father should 
arrive within a few weeks at the latest.” 

“ I should say so, sir. He will come along faster than 
we did, and ought to have begun loading shortly after 
I left.” 

“ What do you think of the Sportsman ? ” 

“She is a remarkably nice little ship, sir.” 

“Do you fancy you would be perfectly satisfied to be 
master of her ? ” 

“ I, master of the Sportsman f ” Ben repeated, in 
surprise. 

“ Exactly. Your father will take command of a ship 


290 


THE BOY CAPTAIN. 


which has just been launched, and even if you are rather 
young, we believe you to be the best man for our business. 
Therefore, if you have no objections to make, we shall 
consider you still in our employ, and you may hold your- 
self in readiness to take command of the ship as soon as 
your father arrives. You can retain any of your present 
crew that you choose.” 

“ I should like Mr. Bean as my first mate, and to keep 
the two sailors who stood by me through the mutiny. On 
Miss Dunham’s account, I think it will be best to hold on 
to the steward.” 

“ On Miss Dunham’s account ? ” Mr. Pierce said, look- 
ing up quickly, and then, noting the deepening colour on 
Ben’s face, added, with a smile, “ I can fancy that the 
Sportsman will have a passenger on board when she leaves 
port again, eh, captain ? ” 

“ Well, sir, if nothing happens,” Ben replied, hesitat- 
ingly, “ I am going to take my wife out with me.” 

“You are not married yet ? ” 

“No, sir,” Ben said, with a laugh; “but within the 
next two months I fancy there will be plenty of time for 
such business.” 

And so there was, for when the Sportsman left the port 
of New York again, standing on the quarter-deck by the 
side of the captain was the “child” whom Ben had first 
seen off Nampang Island, and Mr. Bean, chief officer of 
the Sportsman , addressed her as Mrs. Thompson. 


THE END. 










